Ryan Coogler has officially joined elite company. This week, the Sinners director earned his first-ever nomination for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film.
With this nomination, Coogler becomes only the sixth Black director to ever be recognized in the DGA’s top film category. He now joins the ranks of Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), Jordan Peele (Get Out), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), and Lee Daniels (Precious). While the list is small, its impact is seismic, each name representing a shift in how Hollywood views the work of Black auteurs.
Yet, despite these historic nods, no Black director has ever won the prestigious award. Coogler’s nomination places him at the center of a hopeful and long-overdue conversation about equity at the highest levels of industry recognition.
Coogler’s Sinners has already stirred award season buzz with its performances, score, and cultural relevance. The DGA nod is further proof that the film is not just resonating with audiences but also with his peers.
This year’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film category is a heavyweight lineup. Alongside Coogler are Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet).
The DGA nomination reflects not only the craft behind Sinners but also Coogler’s evolving legacy as a director who merges intimacy with scale, cultural specificity with universal themes. As he stands on this historic shortlist, many are wondering: Could Coogler be the one to finally break the glass ceiling?
The winners will be revealed at the DGA Awards on February 10.
