The Directors Guild of America has announced the schedule of key dates for the 68th Annual DGA Awards, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The event will chaired by DGA president Paris Barclay and actress Jane Lynch will return as host for the third year in a row.
At the 68th Annual DGA Awards, the inaugural award for a brand new category, First-Time Feature Film Director, will be presented. Introduced by Steven Spielberg in a surprise announcement during last year’s ceremony, the new award will recognize the outstanding directorial achievement of a first-time feature film director. Details and eligibility criteria will be announced in September.
Feature Film and First-Time Feature Film nominees will be announced on Jan. 12, 2016 and Television, Commercial, and Documentary nominees will be announced on Jan. 13, 2016.
DGA members will be able to vote online between Dec. 2, 2015 – Jan. 11, 2016 for Feature Film Nominations; between Dec. 14, 2015 – Jan. 11, 2016 for Television Nominations in five categories; and between Jan. 12, 2016 – Feb. 5, 2016 for the Feature Film Award. All voting will continue to take place online. The DGA will also continue to allow Feature Film screeners to be distributed to members for Awards consideration. The complete schedule of key dates is included below.
As previously announced, BMW is returning for the third year as the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of the 68th Annual DGA Awards.
Complete DGA Awards Schedule:
FEATURE FILM AWARD
Online voting for Feature Film Nominations opens Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Deadline to vote online for Feature Film Nominations – Monday, January 11, 2016
Announce Five Feature Film Nominees – Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Online voting for Feature Film Award opens Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Membership Screenings of Five Nominated Feature Films – Mon-Fri, January 18-22, 2016
Deadline to vote online for Feature Film Award – Friday, February 5, 2016
TELEVISION AWARDS
Entry Forms for TV & Commercials available online – Monday, October 5, 2016
Deadline for submitting Television and Commercials entries – Friday, December 4, 2015
Online voting for Television Nominations opens Monday, December 14, 2015
Deadline to vote online for Television Nominations – Monday, January 11, 2016
Announce all Television and Commercial Nominees – Wednesday, January 13, 201
FIRST-TIME FEATURE FILM DIRECTOR AWARD
Entry Forms for First-Time Feature Film Director available online – Tuesday, September 8, 2015
For First-Time Feature Director entries with a theatrical release during the period of Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2015, the deadline is Friday, October 9, 2015
For First-Time Feature Director entries with a theatrical release during the period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2015, the deadline is Friday, November 13, 2015
Announce Five First-Time Feature Film Director Nominees – Tuesday, January 12, 2016
DOCUMENTARY AWARD
Entry Form for Documentary available online Wednesday, September 9, 2015
For Documentary entries with a theatrical release or broadcast during the period of Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2015, the deadline is Monday, October 5, 2015
For Documentary entries with a theatrical release or broadcast during the period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2015, the deadline is Monday, November 2, 2015
Announce Documentary Nominees – Wednesday, January 13, 2016
68th ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER
Email Dinner Reservation Forms – Friday, December 4, 2015
Deadline for returning all Dinner Reservation Forms – Friday, January 29, 2016
DGA Awards Dinner at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza – Saturday, February 6, 2016