Director Paul Thomas Anderson has emerged as the odds-on favorite for the best director Academy Award after earning top honors at the Directors Guild of America Awards for “One Battle After Another.”
It was Anderson’s first DGA Award after previously being nominated for 2007’s “There Will Be Blood” and the 2021 film “Licorice Pizza.”
The award was presented Saturday during the 78th annual DGA Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, hosted by actor-comedian Kumail Nanjiani.
The DGA Award is historically a solid predictor of who will take home the Academy Award for best director. The DGA winner has matched the Oscars directing trophy in each of the past five years and, overall, 21 of the past 25 years.
Actor-director Seth Rogen and his co-creator/director, Evan Goldberg, paid tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara during their acceptance speech for directing an episode of Apple TV’s “The Studio.”
The Toronto-born O’Hara, who died Jan. 30, played a studio executive on “The Studio” who becomes a producer after losing her job as a studio executive.
“We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were children,” Goldberg said.
“And the best part of her is she showed that you can be an utter genius and also the nicest person in the entire world,” Rogen added. “It was an honor to get to direct her every day and we worked very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence. So, ultimately, we would like to thank the DGA for this, but we would mostly like to thank Catherine O’Hara for being such a wonderful person and for blessing us with your presence.”
Two honorary awards were also presented during Saturday’s ceremony.
Stage manager David Charles, whose credits include “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Sesame Street,” received the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award for extraordinary service to the industry and the guild.
Commercials first assistant director Gregory G. McCollum was honored with the Frank Capra Achievement Award for notable career achievements and outstanding service to the DGA. His credits include “countless” Super Bowl commercials and more than a thousand projects for automotive, lifestyle, financial services, sports and electronics brands, according to the DGA.
Here is a complete list of the winners:
Feature Film
— Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Michael Apted Award for First-Time Feature Film
— Charlie Polinger, “The Plague”
Dramatic Series
— Amanda Marsalis, “The Pitt” (HBO Max), “6:00 P.M.” episode
Comedy Series
— Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, “The Studio” (Apple TV),”The Oner” episode”
Limited & Anthology Series
— Shannon Murphy, “Dying for Sex” (FX on Hulu), “It’s Not That Serious” episode
Movies for Television
— Stephen Chbosky, “Nonnas” (Netflix)
Variety
— Liz Patrick. “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” (NBC)
Sports
— Matthew Gangl, “2025 World Series – Game 7 – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays” (FOX Sports)
Reality / Quiz & Game
— Mike Sweeney, “Conan O’Brien Must Go, Austria” (HBO Max)
Commercials
— Kim Gehrig,
“You Can’t Win. So Win.” Nike
“I’m Not Remarkable,” Apple
Documentary Film
— Mstyslav Chernov, “2000 Meters to Andriivka” (PBS)
Documentary Series / News
— Rebecca Miller, “Mr. Scorsese” (Apple TV) “All This Filming Isn’t Healthy” episode