Directors entering the 79th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards have an immediate deadline: entries for documentary films and the Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film are due Friday, October 16, 2026.
The DGA's current awards calendar lists a later November 13 deadline for theatrical feature films, television programs, and commercials. The ceremony is scheduled for January 30, 2027, at the Beverly Hilton.
Why it matters
Awards calendars can create two different planning problems: teams may assume every category closes on the same date, or they may confuse an entry deadline with the later nomination and voting schedule. For first-time feature directors and documentary teams, the October 16 entry date arrives nearly a month before the general theatrical-feature deadline.
The practical move is to open the official category form now, confirm eligibility against the DGA's current rules, and make sure every required credit and release detail is ready before submitting. A public announcement, festival screening, or qualifying release does not automatically mean a project has been entered.
Key dates on the DGA schedule
- October 16, 2026: First-Time Theatrical Feature Film and Documentary Film entries due.
- November 13, 2026: Theatrical Feature Film, Television, and Commercial entries due.
- January 6, 2027: Documentary, Television, and Commercial nominees scheduled to be announced.
- January 7, 2027: Theatrical Feature Film and Michael Apted Award nominees scheduled to be announced.
- January 30, 2027: 79th Annual DGA Awards ceremony.
What filmmakers should check before entering
The DGA provides separate entry forms and eligibility materials for each category. Teams should verify the correct category, credited director, qualifying release or exhibition details, running time, production company information, and any required supporting materials directly in the official form. Do not rely on an earlier year's rules or a third-party awards calendar.
For independent teams, this is also a useful records check: the director credit, producing entity, final title, release dates, and contact information should match across the entry, publicity materials, and the version of the film being considered.
Review the DGA's official 79th Annual Awards page and entry forms →
Primary source
Update note
Published October 15, 2026, from the DGA's live awards calendar. Deadlines and eligibility can change; entrants should verify the official form before submitting.