DGA Awards 2026: One Battle After Another’s Paul Thomas Anderson wins top prize as Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet make surprise appearances

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 Kate Hudson and Kerry Washington.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s black comedy action thriller won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film. 

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. 

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 Deadline.

‘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. 

‘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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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. 

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 aired its first season last year on Apple TV+ and has since been renewed for a second season. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 dropped on Hulu last year in April. 

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. 

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. 

The filmmaker is preparing for the release of his upcoming film The Odyssey which contains a star-studded cast including Matt Damon and Zendaya. 

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. 

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).