Alejandro G. Iñárritu got his second consecutive DGA win for The Revenant at the 68th annual DGA Awards tonight in Los Angeles. Last year, Iñárritu won for Birdman and went on to win three Oscars for best picture, original screenplay and director. “Tough men don’t cry, that’s what Ridley said today and he’s right,” said Iñárritu in his acceptance speech. “My father said, tough men don’t dance. My father died and I think he’s doing business up there to make this happen. I miss him a lot. I’m truly honored and thrilled and I can’t believe this is happening now.” He ended with a nod to his star Leonardo DiCaprio, “Leo I love you very much.”
Alex Garland received the award for first-time feature director for Ex Machina. Documentary Cartel Land snared a nod for Matthew Heineman.
It was a sweep for HBO in the top 
categories on the TV side. David Nutter took the drama series directing nod for HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Chris Addison got the comedy win for HBO’s Veep, and Dee Rees won best director in television movies or miniseries for HBO’s Bess. The reality series trophy went to Adam Vetri for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Gods of War” episode on CMT.
In previously announced awards, Joe Pytka, the man behind thousands of commercials including the Budweiser Clydesdale ads, and the “This is your brain on drugs” PSA, was presented with the DGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Television Direction. “I’m so touched by all this. I love the DGA more than you can say, and I love all of you,” said Pytka. Mary Rae Thewlis, whose credits include The Americans, Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, received the DGA’s 2016 Frank Capra Achievement Award, given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager, and Tom McDermott was honored with the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, given to an Associate Director or Stage Manager. McDermott’s include Nightly News With Tom Brokaw, Today, Late Show With David Letterman and several Super Bowls, Olympics and NBA Finals in addition to his gig as full-time Stage Manager for The Young And The Restless.
Here’s the complete list:
Feature Film
ALEJANDRO G. IÑÁRRITU
The Revenant
(20th Century Fox)
Unit Production Managers: Drew Locke, James W. Skotchdopole, Doug Jones
First Assistant Director: Scott Robertson
Second Assistant Directors: Megan M. Shank, Matthew Haggerty, Jeremy Marks
Unit Production Manager: Gabriela Vazquez (Argentina, California, and Montana Unit)
First Assistant Director: Adam Somner (Argentina, California, and Montana Unit)
Second Assistant Directors: Trevor R. Tavares, Jasmine Marie Alhambra (Argentina, California, and Montana Unit)
Second Second Assistant Directors: Brett Robinson, Kasia Trojak (Argentina, California, and Montana Unit)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director
ALEX GARLAND
Ex Machina
(A24)
Unit Production Manager: Sara Desmond
First Assistant Director: Nick Heckstall‑Smith
Second Assistant Director: Ray Kenny
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
DAVID NUTTER
Game of Thrones, “Mother’s Mercy” (HBO)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
CHRIS ADDISON
Veep, “Election Night” (HBO)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries
DEE REES
Bessie (HBO)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
MATTHEW HEINEMAN
Cartel Land
The Orchard; A&E Indie Films, Our Time Projects, The Documentary Group, Whitewater Films
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials
DON ROY KING
Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special (NBC)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming
DAVE DIOMEDI
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “Episode #325” (NBC)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
ADAM VETRI
Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Gods of War” (CMT)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
ANDREAS NILSSON
(Biscuit Filmworks)
Emily’s Oz, Comcast – Goodby, Silverstein & Partners NY
Time Upon A Once, General Electric – BBDO
Dad Song, Old Spice – Wieden + Kennedy
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs
KENNY ORTEGA
Descendants (Disney Channel)
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