DGA Monthly

J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6 I 8 3 2010: Presenter Abdul Malik Abbot and Western Region African American category winner Ryan Coogler. In an industry where opening doors can feel like an uphill battle, there is one initiative of the Directors Guild that has sought to not just open doors but to make connections – the DGA's Student Film Awards. Since 1995, the Student Film Awards — now reclassified as the DGA Student Spotlight Awards For Underrepresented Directors — have highlighted the work of dozens of student filmmakers. This member-driven initiative seeks to elevate the work of historically underrepresented Directors currently enrolled in post-secondary programs focused on film education. It has been a launch point for some of today's most prolific Directors and a joyful introduction to the possibility of one day joining the DGA as a member. The Guild continues to see these awards as a meaningful approach to enhancing the diversity of storytelling particularly in an industry where women and people of color continue to face steep challenges attaining feature directing opportunities present day. In this photo gallery, we look back on this program that helped launch the careers of such notable Directors as Jon M. Chu, Ryan Coogler, Rashaad Ernesto Green, Nicole Kassell and Patricia Riggen. Stewarding the Next Generation of Great Storytellers: The DGA Student Film Awards A DGA Photo Retrospective 2003, the Eastern Region winners included future Board Alternate Patricia Riggen. L-R: DGA National Vice President Ed Sherin, Woman Category winner: Alison Cole, African-American Category winner: Dennis Lee, Latino Category winner: Patricia Riggen and Asian-American Category winner: Dennis Lee. 2009, Eastern Region winners included current DGA Director-member Rashaad Ernesto Green. Photo L-R: Director Laura Belsey, Women's Category winner: Eliza Subotowicz, African-American Category winner: Rashaad Ernesto Green, and Asian-American Category winner: Theresa Wu. Right: Green returns in 2023 as a DGA member presenter. 2018: Western Region Women's Jury Award recipient Amanda Renee Knox with Past President Martha Coolidge, an advisor on her film Night Call. If you are interested in serving as a judge for the 2026 Student Film Awards please email diversity@dga.org. "Our goal is to shine a light upon young women and minority voices, assist their entrance into our industry, and eventually into the DGA. This is part of the Guild's commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity." — DGA Past President Gene Reynolds, under whose leadership the program was launched and who later served as Chair of the Student Film Awards Committee. "The Guild stands proud to offer a platform to support young women and filmmakers of color at a pivotal time in their careers. We have seen the impact of storytelling on our society when underrepresented voices are given space to tell stories and celebrate these unique perspectives and how they enhance our view and understanding of the world around us." — former Student Film Awards Chair Gil Cates, Jr. 2021: Director Jon M. Chu, who won the Western Region Asian American category honorable mention in 2002 for his student film, Gwai Lo: The Little Foreigner, and DGA Board Member/Director Nicole Kassell, who won the Eastern Region Women's category award in 1999 for her student film, Jamie, both return via video to present the awards in their same categories. 2 0 2 2 : We s t e r n R e g i o n Student Film Awards winners pictured with their D GA member presenters. 2011: Presenter Millicent Shelton with African-American Jury Award recipient current DGA member Channing Godfrey Peoples. 2011: Director Lesli Linka Glatter presents the award to Western Region Women's winner and current DGA member Mitsuyo Miyazaki (aka Hikari).

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