Film and Television Directors

Advancement for film directors often comes in the form of recognition from their peers, professional film organizations, and the media. Directors who work on well-received movies receive awards as well as further job offers. Probably the most glamorized trophy is the Academy Award: the Oscar. Oscars are awarded in more than 25 categories, including one for Best Achievement in Directing, and are given annually at a gala to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of those in the field. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gives Emmy Awards to television directors who direct exemplary work. Candidates for Oscars and Emmys are usually judged by their peers.

Directors who have not worked on films popular enough to have made it in Hollywood should nevertheless seek recognition from reputable organizations. One such group is the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent agency of the U.S. government that supports and awards artists, including those who work in film. The endowment provides financial assistance in the form of fellowships and grants to those seen as contributing to the excellence of arts in the country.