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.