Entry Criteria:

Director Eligibility:

• Entry submissions must be covered under a DGA Agreement and directed by a DGA member with a Deal Memorandum on file.
• A Director may only submit one entry for consideration.
• Entries are accepted only from the Director of the program or special. An entry found to be submitted without the Director’s knowledge will be immediately disqualified.

Program Eligibility:

• Only variety programs and specials that have originally aired on television or streaming services during the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 are eligible.
• Members who directed an eligible project that is broadcast between November 15, 2025 and December 31, 2025, have the option of submitting their entry for consideration as part of next year’s 79th Annual DGA Awards.
• Programs exhibited theatrically prior to television or streaming are not eligible.
• Programs that are only broadcast locally (even if available on the Internet) are not eligible.
• Talk series/programs or specials may be submitted under this category as appropriate.

Length:
• Entries must have a minimum broadcast format length of approximately one half hour.

Credit:
• The Director must have exercised all traditional directorial functions in connection with original photography. For projects that receive on-air credits, a "Directed By" credit must be included.

Entry Requirements:
• The Director must submit a completed DGA Awards entry form. A confirmation e-mail will be sent upon receipt of the entry form.
• The entry must be accompanied by a copy of the project’s main and end title credits. If main/end credits are not available due to broadcast limitations, please submit a call-sheet as able or reach out to the Awards Office (awards@dga.org) to discuss confirmation of Directorial credit.

Entry Deadline:

• All Variety entry forms must be received in the Awards office by 5:00 p.m. PT on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.

Judging Process:

• Variety entries will be placed on a nomination ballot that will be available to the DGA membership for voting online, starting Monday, December 15, 2025. The entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2025 DGA Variety Nominees on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
• Nominees will be required to immediately provide a secure password protected HD link of the nominated project with the following specifications: QuickTime Movie in Apple ProRes, 1920 x 1080. A Blue Ribbon Panel will then vote by secret ballot to select the Winner of the 2025 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety. The Winner will be announced at the 78th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

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