Steven and Sandra shine at Directors Guild Awards

The 66th annual Directors Guild Awards (DGA), or the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards, to give them their full name, took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Century City, L.A.

January 25 saw actors and their egos put to one side once more (until Oscars night, at least). As usual, the ceremony sent speculation over who will pick up the Academy Award for Best Director into overdrive.

Holding it all together was comedienne Jane Lynch, in front of an audience of over 1,600 guests. Those on hand to dish out the gongs included Tom Hanks, Steve Coogan and Ben Affleck. Also presenting was Sandra Bullock, who caused more than a few jaws to drop in a black strapless gown.

But that’s quite enough about fashion, you’ll be pleased to know! As previously mentioned, what usually intrigues at the DGA is the fact that the winning director in the feature film category usually goes on to repeat the feat at the Oscars. On only seven occasions has that failed to be the case, arguably the most infamous of which was last year, when Ben Affleck, having seen off all comers with Argo at the DGA, wasn’t even nominated for the respective academy award. No, we still can’t believe it either!

So will this year’s recipient fare any better? Seeing as it was Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity, the case would appear to be solid enough. However, when you consider that his closest rivals include Steve McQueen with 12 Years a Slave and David O. Russell for American Hustle, suddenly the bet doesn’t look that safe. Throw The Wolf of Wall Street and Captain Phillips into the equation and the race looks tighter than the final furlong at Royal Ascot.

The man of the moment at this year’s DGA was undoubtedly Steven Soderbergh, who took the Movies for Television and Mini-Series honour for Behind the Candelabra, his biopic of Liberace. But the good news didn’t stop there, as DGA President Paris Barclay made an impromptu call for the Ocean’s Eleven maestro to collect the Robert B. Aldrich Award, which is given in recognition of extraordinary service to the Directors Guild and its membership.

Just a date for your diary to finish off with, folks. Next year’s bash will take place on February 7, so if it’s a refeshing alternative to the Oscars you’re after, you know where to be!