DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2020

73rd Awards

March 9, 2021

Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme today announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2020.

“Throughout these challenging and isolating times, the universal power of film has served such a meaningful role in our culture—helping fulfill our needs for human connection, expanding our worldviews, and keeping us inspired through stunning storytelling and artistry,” said Schlamme. “I congratulate our five nominees whose diverse and extraordinary films embodied that universal power in a year that will never be forgotten.”

The winners will be announced at the 73rd Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, April 10, 2021, which will be a private virtual event for DGA members.


DGA Awards Medallion Small Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Theatrical Feature Film

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2020 are (in alphabetical order):

Lee Isaac Chung

Minari

(A24)

Mr. Chung’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Dylan Brodie
  • First Assistant Director: Jeff Dubray
  • Second Assistant Director: Ann Laudick
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Stephen J. Hanan

Emerald Fennell

Promising Young Woman

(Focus Features)

Ms. Fennell’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Reena Magsarili Raasch
  • Second Assistant Director: Alexander Armero
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Anthony Manzo

David Fincher

Mank

(Netflix)

Mr. Fincher’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Allen Kupetsky
  • First Assistant Director: Richard Goodwin
  • Second Assistant Director: Samantha McGrady
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Matt McKinnon
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Jeff Goodell, John Stern, George Williams III

Aaron Sorkin

The Trial of the Chicago 7

(Netflix; DreamWorks Pictures)

Mr. Sorkin’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Charles Miller, Stuart M. Besser, Jonathan Shoemaker
  • First Assistant Director: Joseph P. Reidy
  • Second Assistant Director: Rachel Jaros
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Justin Bischoff
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Pablo Gambetta (Chicago Unit)
  • Location Managers: Dennis Voskov, Nick Rafferty (Chicago Unit)

Chloé Zhao

Nomadland

(Searchlight Pictures)

Ms. Zhao’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Mary Kerrigan
  • First Assistant Director: Mary Kerrigan

↩ Click here to return to the top of the page.


Nominees for First-Time Feature Film Director Category Announced

In addition, Schlamme announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director for 2020.

“Fresh storytelling and new voices are what drive our industry forward,” added Schlamme. “That’s the spirit of this award, and we’re so proud to spotlight the achievements of these immensely talented first-time feature directors who so skillfully brought their unique visions to life. Congratulations to all of the nominees.”


DGA Awards Medallion Small Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
First-Time Feature Film

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director for 2020 are (in alphabetical order):

Radha Blank

The Forty-Year-Old Version

(Netflix)

Ms. Blank’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: James Price
  • First Assistant Director: Michael L. Walker
  • Second Assistant Director: Kenyon Noble
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Jonathan Santos
  • Location Managers: Katarina Dedicova, Tim Stacker

Fernando Frías de la Parra

I’m No Longer Here

(Netflix)

Mr. Frías’s Directorial Team:

  • Production Managers: Martín Pérez Valle, Assia Fratz (New York Unit)
  • First Assistant Director: Carlos Suazo
  • Second Assistant Directors: Alí Santiago, Alex Burstein (New York Unit)
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: Karen Alcázar, Anthony James Faure (New York Unit)

Regina King

One Night in Miami

(Amazon Studios)

Ms. King’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Paul O. Davis
  • First Assistant Director: Mark Anthony Little
  • Second Assistant Director: Kevin O’Neil
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Kate Ransome Wilcox

Darius Marder

Sound of Metal

(Amazon Studios)

Mr. Marder’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Amy Greene

Florian Zeller

The Father

(Sony Pictures Classics)

Mr. Zeller’s Directorial Team:

  • First Assistant Director: George Every
  • Second Assistant Director: Jamie D. Allen

The winners will be announced at the
73rd Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

↩ Click here to return to the top of the page.

 

Contact
DGA Communications Department (310) 289-5333
press@dga.org