Christopher Nolan elected president of Directors Guild of America

Christopher Nolan has been elected president of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), marking a rare moment where one of Hollywood’s most bankable filmmakers takes on the leadership of the union. Nolan succeeds Lesli Linka Glatter, who served two terms after being first elected in 2021.

“To be elected President of the Directors Guild of America is one of the greatest honors of my career,” Nolan said in a statement. “Our industry is experiencing tremendous change, and I thank the Guild’s membership for entrusting me with this responsibility. I also want to thank President Glatter for her leadership over the past four years. I look forward to collaborating with her and the newly elected Board to achieve important creative and economic protections for our members.”

The election was held Saturday during the guild’s biennial national convention, where 167 delegates representing more than 19,500 members cast their votes. Alongside Nolan, Laura Belsey was re-elected National Vice President, and Paris Barclay was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. Other officers include Todd Holland, Ron Howard, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Seith Mann, Millicent Shelton, Lily Olszewski, and Joyce Thomas in vice-presidential and assistant secretary-treasurer roles.

The transition comes as the DGA prepares for its next round of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The union’s most recent contract, reached without a strike in 2023, runs through June 2026. Key issues on the horizon include foreign streaming residuals, expanded tax incentives for productions, and on-set safety standards.

Nolan, fresh off his Oscar wins for Oppenheimer, has built a career directing both blockbusters such as The Dark Knight trilogy and critically acclaimed dramas including Inception and Dunkirk. His next project, The Odyssey, is due out next July from Universal Pictures.