So how good of an augur is the DGAs to the Oscars? Well, thus far only 2 of their nominees for Best Director landed Oscar nominations, but three of the filmmakers behind a trio of contending Best Documentary movies have been honored by their peers.
Kirby Dick ("The Invisible War") and David France ("How To Survive A Plague") are probably the most recognizable and acclaimed names of the folks who will be battling it out for the prize. Rounding out the five are Lauren Greenfield for her crowd pleasing "The Queen Of Versailles," Malik Bendjelloul for his unique music documentary "Searching For Sugar Man" and Alison Klayman for the politically aware "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry." It's a great batch of movies, if anything, leaning toward the issue driven movies more than anything else, but it's still a diverse slate and it would be hard to argue that any of them aren't worthy.
We'll find out who gets to decorate their mantel with the prize on February 2nd. Nominees below. [Deadline]
KIRBY DICK
The Invisible War
Rise Film
ITVS
Fork Films
Cuomo Cole Productions
Canal Plus
Chain Camera Pictures
This is Mr. Dick’s first DGA Award nomination.
MALIK BENDJELLOUL
Searching For Sugar Man
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Passion Pictures Production
Canfield Pictures & The Documentary Company
Red Box Films
This is Mr. Bendjelloul’s first DGA Award nomination.
LAUREN GREENFIELD
The Queen of Versailles
Magnolia Pictures
Evergreen Pictures
BBC Storyville
Impact Partners
Candescent Films
Plus Pictures
DR
VPRO
Queen of Versailles, LLC
This is Ms. Greenfield’s first DGA Award nomination.
DAVID FRANCE
How To Survive A Plague
Public Square Films
Ford Foundation/Justfilms Impact Partners
How to Survive a Plague, LLC
This is Mr. France’s first DGA Award nomination.
ALISON KLAYMAN
Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry
United Expression Media
Muse Film and Television
Never Sorry, LLC
This is Ms. Klayman’s first DGA Award nomination.
