Christopher Nolan Elected President of American Directors Guild
Christopher Nolan is taking on a new role as he becomes the president of the American Directors Guild (DGA). This positions him as one of Hollywood’s top talents at the helm of a leading directors’ union, at a significant point in his career.
Nolan replaces Lesli Linka Glatter, who held the position for two terms since 2021. He’s been involved with the DGA for several years and currently serves on its national board of directors.
“Being elected president of the DGA is one of the greatest honors of my career,” Nolan remarked in a statement. “Our industry is facing tremendous changes, and I’m grateful to our guild membership for this responsibility. I’d like to thank President Glatter for her leadership during the past four years and look forward to working with her and the newly elected committee to achieve vital creative and economic protections for our members.”
Under Glatter’s leadership, the DGA advocated for improvements in set safety, including a program in California that mandates safety supervisors for productions that receive state film funding and TV tax incentives. The union also played an important role in expanding California’s tax credits this year, making it easier for productions to qualify.
Looking ahead, the DGA plans to meet with a group of film and television producers in early 2026. Currently, the guild’s contract extends until June 30, 2026, and it was notably the only Hollywood coalition to secure trades without experiencing a job suspension in the last cycle of 2023.
Nolan’s election comes after his Oscar-winning success; Oppenheimer earned him two Academy Awards and further showcased his talent for crafting both grand spectacles (like The Dark Knight and Inception) and compelling historical dramas (such as Dunkirk and Oppenheimer). His upcoming project, Odyssey, is set for release through Universal Pictures in July.
In addition to Nolan, other elected representatives include Laura Bercy as national vice president and Paris Berkeley as secretary treasurer. The elected officers also comprise Todd Holland, Ron Howard, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Says Mann, Millicent Shelton, Lily Orshoski, and Joyce Thomas.
