The Directors Guild of America has announced key dates and awards categories for the 78th Annual DGA Awards, which will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.
Full Schedule of Key Dates
Theatrical Feature Film and Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film nominees will be announced on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and Television, Commercial, and Documentary Film nominees will be announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
DGA members will be able to vote online between December 15, 2025 – January 7, 2026, for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations; between December 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026, for Television and Commercial Nominations; and between January 8, 2026 – February 6, 2026, for the Theatrical Feature Film Award.
All voting will continue to take place online. The complete schedule of key dates is included below.
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM AWARD
- Entry Forms for Theatrical Feature Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Theatrical Feature Film entries: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Online voting for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations opens: Monday, December 15, 2025
- Deadline to vote online for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Announce Theatrical Feature Film Nominees: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Online voting for Theatrical Feature Film Nominees opens: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Membership Screenings of 5 Nominated Theatrical Feature Films: Mon-Fri, January 19-23, 2026
- Deadline to vote online for Theatrical Feature Film Award: Friday, February 6, 2026
TELEVISION AND COMMERCIAL AWARDS
- Entry Forms for TV and Commercials available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Television and Commercials entries: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Online voting for Television Nominations opens: Monday, December 15, 2025
- Deadline to vote online for Television Nominations: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Announce all Television and Commercial Nominees: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
MICHAEL APTED AWARD FOR FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
- Entry Forms for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting First-Time Theatrical Feature Film entries: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Announce First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director Nominees: Thursday, January 8, 2026
DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
- Entry Forms for Documentary Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Documentary Film entries: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Announce Documentary Film Nominees: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
78th ANNUAL DGA AWARDS
- Dinner Reservation Forms Available: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
- DGA Awards Ceremony: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Awards Categories
Following changes made by the DGA National Board, the categories for the 78th Annual DGA Awards are:
- Theatrical Feature Film
- Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film
- Movies for Television
- Limited & Anthology Series
- Dramatic Series
- Comedy Series
- Documentary Film
- Documentary Series / News
- Commercials
- Variety
- Sports
- Reality / Quiz & Game
New FYC Streaming Platform
The DGA also announced today that the Guild has partnered with Indee. on the creation of new dedicated screeners platform/app, Directors Guild FYC, which will allow for a safe and secure viewing experience for Guild members looking to watch titles eligible under Theatrical Feature Film in one convenient location. As a result, DVDs/Blu-rays will no longer be sent.