The DGA Awards celebrates outstanding directorial achievement and we welcome your entry. Here are the Awards guidelines and entry form for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director. You must agree to these rules at the bottom of the page in order to go to the Entry Form.

Entry Criteria:

1. Eligibility:
   
   • The DGA Awards eligibility period runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
   
   
   • This award category is open to both DGA and non-DGA First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Directors.
   
   
   • A feature length film is defined as more than 40 minutes.
   
   
   • The film must be released in a paid admission commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles or New York during the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
   
   
   • The film must be theatrically exhibited for at least seven (7) consecutive days and be advertised and exploited during its Los Angeles or New York qualifying run in a manner customary with industry practice.
   
   
   • Feature Films that are exhibited theatrically and exhibited or distributed simultaneously on any other platforms are eligible.
   
   
   • International films that meet the above criteria are also eligible. Non English-language submissions must be subtitled in English.
   
   
   • If a Director directed a prior Feature Film that went straight to DVD, VOD, or television they are eligible to enter in this category.
   
   
   • The Director may be eligible in the Theatrical Feature Film category in addition, provided the film meets the eligibility criteria, as they differ.
   
   The following precludes a Director from awards consideration in this category:
   
   • If a Director directed a prior Feature Film that went straight to DVD, VOD, or television they would be eligible to enter in this category. If that same Feature Film received international theatrical distribution, it would preclude the Director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • If a Director was a Co-Director (or one of multiple Directors) on a previous Theatrical Feature Film, it would preclude the Director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • If a Director has directed more than one film that has been released theatrically in an international market, it would preclude the Director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • Feature Films exhibited or distributed on free television, a pay cable service, Internet, DVD or any other format or delivery system in the continental United States prior to theatrical release are not eligible.
   
   
   • Re-releases, animated films, and documentaries are not eligible.


2. Credit:
   • The Director must have exercised all traditional Theatrical Feature Film directorial functions in connection with original photography and received an on-screen “Directed By” credit.


3. Entry Link:
   • The Director must provide a secure, password protected HD link of the First-Time Theatrical Feature Film, with start and end credits including the “Directed By” credit. A watermark may be included provided it does not obscure the entry. The link must go directly to the entry and should not require additional information to access it beyond the password. The link should not be geo-blocked. This link will be forwarded to the members of the DGA Awards First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Screening Committee and must remain active for the duration of Awards, ending on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Entry Deadline:

• All First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Entry Forms and HD link submissions must be received in the Awards office by 6:00 p.m. PT on MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023.

Judging Process:

• All eligible First-Time Theatrical Feature Film entries will be viewed by a Screening Committee of DGA Members who have worked on Theatrical Films. The five entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2023 Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Nominees on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.


• The First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Screening Committee will then vote by secret ballot to select the winner of the 2023 Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The winner will be announced at the 76th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 10, 2023.

Should you have any questions, please contact Brandon Goco in the DGA Awards Office at Awards@dga.org or (310) 289-2038.