The 78th Annual Directors Guild Awards recognized the filmmakers and individuals behind the camera in L.A. on Saturday - with One Battle After Another taking home the biggest win.
The ceremony kicked off at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel with Kumail Nanjiani hosting in front of the star-studded attendees including and Kerry Washington.
Paul Thomas Anderson's black comedy action thriller won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film.
Leonardo , Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti are included in the cast in the critically acclaimed project - which has additionally been nominated for 13 at the upcoming ceremony in March.
During his acceptance speech, Anderson opened up about his passion for creativity and having the opportunity to share it with those in the room.
'It's that feeling that we all love making s*** and we need to do it. We need to do it or it's an addiction, I'm not quite sure,' he expressed at the podium, per Deadline.
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The 78th Annual Directors Guild Awards recognized the filmmakers and individuals behind the camera in L.A. on Saturday - with One Battle After Another taking home the biggest win; Paul Thomas Anderson seen above
Paul Thomas Anderson's black comedy action thriller won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film
Anderson also paid tribute to late assistant director Adam Somner who passed away in November 2024 following a battle with thyroid cancer.
'Obviously we are up here, minus one. A lot of people in this room know our hero, our man, Adam Somner. Steven [Spielberg] knows him. His wife Carmen [Ruiz de Huidobro] is here.'
During his acceptance speech, Anderson opened up about his passion for creativity and having the opportunity to share it with those in the room
'It's that feeling that we all love making s*** and we need to do it. We need to do it or it's an addiction, I'm not quite sure,' he expressed at the podium, per Deadline
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Anderson also paid tribute to late assistant director Adam Somner who passed away in November 2024 following a battle with thyroid cancer; Somner seen with producer Sara Murphy in 2022
Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn and Chase Infiniti are included in the cast in the critically acclaimed project - which has additionally been nominated for 13 Academy Awards at the upcoming ceremony in March
DiCaprio also made a surprise appearance at the awards ceremony over the weekend and helped present a special honor to Anderson
'What struck me most about his process is how precise and fearless it is. Paul has an incredible barometer for bulls***.
'He knows instantly when an idea isn't right, has no problem telling you exactly how wrong,' DiCaprio continued, before jokingly adding, 'Including some of my ideas.'
The Oscar-winning star then gushed about Anderson's collaboration with the cast as well as all other departments involved in the making of the film.
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'A lot of people love movies. A lot of people want to be directors but very few are able to locate what isn't obvious,' he later added.
'To find the mystery, to uncover something that keeps us unsettled, curious and completely alive as viewers. That is Paul Thomas Anderson.'
The director soon jumped onto the stage to accept the award following the actor's introduction.
After presenting the award, DiCaprio and Anderson stopped to take photos together on the red carpet backstage.
The actor presented the filmmaker with a Directors Guild of America Feature Film Medallion for One Battle After Another
While on stage, DiCaprio reflected on how he 'finally had the chance to work with Paul' on the movie, per a video shared by Deadline
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'To find the mystery, to uncover something that keeps us unsettled, curious and completely alive as viewers. That is Paul Thomas Anderson,' the star added
Anderson took time to pose with his medallion solo while on the red carpet
Timothee Chalamet sported a double-breasted, brown suit as he helped honor his Marty Supreme director Josh Safdie with a medallion
Timothee Chalamet sported a double-breasted, brown suit as he helped honor his Marty Supreme director Josh Safdie with a medallion.
The sports drama film has garnered critical praise since its release in theaters late last year.
Chalamet has raked in an Oscar nomination for Best Actor while Safdie has additionally garnered an Oscar nod for Best Director.
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The pair were seen mingling backstage at the Beverly Hilton after the filmmaker accepted the award.
Jacob Elordi also stepped onto the stage later in the evening to present a DGA Award to his Frankenstein director Guillermo Del Toro.
The Euphoria actor was dressed for the occasion in a classic suit as well as patterned tie.
During his introduction, Elordi reflected on the filmmaker's 'kindness,' per Deadline.
'He gives his heart and time to his fellow artists and being in his presence for even a brief moment, you can feel the magnitude of his generosity.'
The pair were seen mingling backstage at the Beverly Hilton after the filmmaker accepted the award
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Chalamet has raked in an Oscar nomination for Best Actor while Safdie has additionally garnered an Oscar nod for Best Director
Jacob Elordi also stepped onto the stage later in the evening to present a DGA Award to his Frankenstein director Guillermo Del Toro
The star - who played The Creature in Frankenstein - continued, 'He cares so deeply about cinema, about movies and about the artists and audiences that make it possible'
The star - who played The Creature in Frankenstein - continued, 'He cares so deeply about cinema, about movies and about the artists and audiences that make it possible.
'Guillermo, you are the greatest friend a monster could have,' Elordi added as the crowd broke out into laughter. 'I love you very much.'
Michael B. Jordan additionally made an appearance to present an honor to his Sinners director Ryan Coogler.
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The director was seen happily posing with Jordan backstage as he held a silver medallion in his hands.
The hit medical series The Pitt garnered a big honor as Amanda Marsalis won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series for the episode titled '6:00 P.M.'
The show also garnered two last month in January for Best TV Series - Drama and Best Actor in a TV Series - Drama for Noah Wyle.
Marsalis appeared emotional as she accepted the award while surrounded by others involved on the Max series.
She later held a smile on her face with her medallion award backstage alongside actress .
'Guillermo, you are the greatest friend a monster could have,' Elordi added as the crowd broke out into laughter. 'I love you very much'
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Michael B. Jordan additionally made an appearance to present an honor to his Sinners director Ryan Coogler
The director was seen happily posing with Jordan backstage as he held a silver medallion in his hands
The hit medical series The Pitt garnered a big honor as Amanda Marsalis won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series for the episode titled '6:00 P.M.'
The show also garnered two Golden Globes last month in January for Best TV Series - Drama and Best Actor in a TV Series - Drama for Noah Wyle
Marsalis appeared emotional as she accepted the award while surrounded by others involved on the HBO Max series
She later held a smile on her face with her medallion award backstage alongside actress Kerry Washington
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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg won the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series for The Studio in an episode titled The Oner.
The satirical comedy series
The Studio, which was co-created by Rogen, won big at the Golden Globes last month including Best TV Series - Musical or Comedy as well as Best Actor for Rogen in a Musical or Comedy Series.
Rogen and Goldberg also She had played the character of Patty Leigh on The Studio.
O'Hara passed away at the age of 71 on Janaury 30 in Los Angeles, with her agency CAA saying in a statement that she passed 'following a brief illness.'
'Honestly, there's no one we wish we could thank in person at this moment more than we would love to thank Catherine O'Hara,' Rogen began, per Deadline.
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Goldberg added that the late actress had been their 'idol' since they were kids.
Rogen continued that the film Home Alone - which had starred O'Hara - had been the project that inspired him to work in entertainment.
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg won the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series for The Studio in an episode titled The Oner
Rogen and Goldberg also honored the late Catherine O'Hara during their acceptance speech. She had played the character of Patty Leigh on The Studio (seen above)
'Honestly, there's no one we wish we could thank in person at this moment more than we would love to thank Catherine O'Hara,' Rogen began, per Deadline
In conclusion, Rogen sent gratitude to the DGA as well as O'Hara 'for being such a wonderful person and for blessing us with your presence'; O'Hara seen in March 2025 in Beverly Hills
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The actor further expressed to the crowd, '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.
'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.'
In conclusion, Rogen sent gratitude to the DGA as well as O'Hara 'for being such a wonderful person and for blessing us with your presence.'
Liz Patrick - the current director of SNL - was the recipient of the award for Best Variety for SNL50: The Anniversary Special.
She was also seen speaking on stage as she accepted the honor with a speech in front of the crowd.
Mike Sweeney won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality/Quiz & Game for Conan O'Brien Must Go.
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He cheerfully posed for photos holding a large medallion alongside D'Arcy Carden and Kerri Kenney-Silver after the special win.
Sweeney is also known for being a writer on the series Late Night With Conan O'Brien from 1995-2009.
Washington dressed to impress in a silver dress as she attended the ceremony on Saturday
Liz Patrick - the current director of SNL - was the recipient of the award for Best Variety for SNL50: The Anniversary Special
She was also seen speaking on stage as she accepted the honor with a speech in front of the crowd
Mike Sweeney won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality/Quiz & Game for Conan O'Brien Must Go
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He cheerfully posed for photos holding a large medallion alongside D'Arcy Carden and Kerri Kenney-Silver after the special win
Shannon Murphy won the directorial award for Best Limited and Anthology Series for Dying For Sex
Shannon Murphy won the directorial award for Best Limited and Anthology Series for Dying For Sex.
She posed backstage with the shiny medallion alongside Kate Hudson who stunned in a glamorous look.
Dying For Sex is a comedic drama miniseries that starred Michelle Williams and .
Olivia Wilde took to the stage in a black leather dress as she spoke ahead of another winner announcement.
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The star was later seen posing with Charlie Polinger, who won the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for The Plague.
The 2025 horror drama premiered last year at Cannes and starred Joel Edgerton as well as Everett Blunck.
Adam Scott and Rhea Seehorn were also spotted speaking on stage in front of the audience during the ceremony.
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan was dapper in a classic tuxedo as he also addressed the attendees at one point.
She posed backstage with the shiny medallion alongside Kate Hudson who stunned in a glamorous look
Hudson was seen presenting an award while donning a dark navy dress with silver embellishments
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Olivia Wilde took to the stage in a black leather dress as she spoke ahead of another winner announcement
The star was later seen posing with Charlie Polinger, who won the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for The Plague
Polinger was seen accepting the award on stage
Adam Scott and Rhea Seehorn were also spotted speaking on stage in front of the audience during the ceremony
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan was dapper in a classic tuxedo as he also addressed the attendees at one point
The filmmaker is preparing for the release of his upcoming film The Odyssey which contains a star-studded cast including Matt Damon and Zendaya.
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Stephen Chbosky won the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television for Netflix's Nonnas.
Kim Gehrig won the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for You Can't Win. So Win. – Nike | Wieden+Kennedy and I'm Not Remarkable – Apple | Client Direct.
She excitedly held her medallion on stage as she gave a speech at the podium.
Kim Gehrig (middle) won the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for You Can't Win. So Win. – Nike | Wieden+Kennedy and I'm Not Remarkable – Apple | Client Direct
She excitedly held her medallion on stage as she gave a speech at the podium
David Charles later spoke on stage inside the venue to accept the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, which helps honor extraordinary service to both the profession and the DGA
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The ceremony kicked off at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel with Kumail Nanjiani hosting in front of the star-studded attendees
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary Series/News went to Rebecca Miller for Mr. Scorsese, "All This Filming Isn't Healthy."
The DGA in the Documentary Film category went to Mstyslav Chernov for 2000 Meters to Andriivka.
David Charles later spoke on stage inside the venue to accept the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, which helps honor extraordinary service to both the profession and the DGA.
The DGA Award in the Sports category went to Matthew Gangl for the 2025 World Series – Game 7 – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Fox Sports).