Ang Lee to Receive DGA Lifetime Achievement Award at 77th Annual Ceremony

LAPpost/Los Angeles, December 6, 2024 – The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has announced that acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee will be honored with the Guild’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at its 77th Annual Awards ceremony on February 8, 2025. This accolade, bestowed at the discretion of current and past DGA presidents, recognizes Lee’s extraordinary contributions to the art of cinema and motion picture direction.

“Ang Lee is truly a master filmmaker,” said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. “For over 30 years, he has created a diverse body of work that transcends genres, from period dramas to martial arts epics and groundbreaking technological achievements. His films invite audiences into deeply emotional, thought-provoking worlds that linger long after the credits roll. Ang’s fearless approach to storytelling and innovation has left an indelible mark on the history of cinema, and the DGA is proud to honor him with this award.”

Lee expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “To be given the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award is a monumental honor for me. It’s a humbling moment to reflect on my journey and the amazing filmmaking community that has supported me.”

Ang Lee’s career spans over three decades, marked by a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. His work has earned numerous accolades, including two DGA Awards for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Brokeback Mountain (2005), with the latter also securing him an Academy Award for Best Director. He was nominated for additional DGA Awards for Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Life of Pi (2012), which also won him a second Academy Award for Best Director.

Lee’s groundbreaking films include Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), The Ice Storm (1997), Lust, Caution (2007), and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016), which utilized cutting-edge 120 frames-per-second technology. His more recent projects, such as Gemini Man (2019), further cement his reputation as a cinematic innovator.

Lee joins an elite group of 36 directors who have received the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award, including Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, and Spike Lee. This honor underscores his unparalleled ability to weave compelling narratives with technological and artistic mastery.

Ang Lee holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in film production from New York University, where his short film Fine Line won Best Director and Best Film at the NYU Film Festival. His work continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide, bridging cultures and redefining storytelling on the global stage.

Established in 1953, the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award honors filmmakers whose contributions to cinema have profoundly influenced the industry. Past recipients include legends such as Frank Capra, Orson Welles, and Akira Kurosawa, each leaving a lasting impact on the art and craft of directing.

Ang Lee’s recognition as the 2025 recipient celebrates not only his remarkable achievements but also his enduring influence on generations of filmmakers and audiences. (By: Richard Ren/LAPost)