“1917” has quite a bit of momentum, now, I’d say.
The Directors Guild gave Sam Mendes a Best Director boost, along with the directors of “Parasite,” “Jo Jo Rabbit,” “Irishman” and “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.”
An embarrassment of riches in this category, as Todd Phillips, Almodovar (not his best movie) and Marielle Helle of “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” could have been nominated, but were passed over.
But women such as Ava DuVernay (TV film), and first time directors Alma Har’el (“Honey Boy”) and Melina Matskukas (“Queen & Skim”) were nominees in other categories.
https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/2020-dga-awards-nominations-directors-guild/
Movie Nation 