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As the 36th Annual Producers Guild of America Awards draw near, a number of winners have been announced in the lead-up to the big event Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. These early awards are given in different categories and set the stage for the mega event.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, producers of the FX docuseries Shōgun: The Making of Shōgun won Outstanding Short Form Program at the PGA’s West Coast Nominee Celebration at NeueHouse in Venice. This is a well-deserved award that recognizes the outstanding work by the producing team and the exceptional delivery of engaging short-form programming offering a behind-the-scenes look at the highly acclaimed series Shōgun.
On the same evening, Cosm Studios’ Orbital received the PGA Innovation Award. This juried honor recognizes exceptional entertainment achievement in emerging media platforms, such as VR, AR, and experiential projects. Orbital was singled out for its innovation and impact on the new face of immersive storytelling.
The Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising, which took the award for Outstanding Sports Program at the PGA’s East Coast Celebration on Monday, February 3, in New York City, at Lincoln Ristorante, is an in-depth look at the journey that this Olympic gymnast has undergone and captures each of the dramatic highs and crushing lows that define her career.
In addition, Max’s Sesame Street took the award for Outstanding Children’s Program for the third time in a row, confirming its enduring impact and devotion to quality children’s entertainment.
Events throughout the week culminate in the centerpiece ceremony, where the highly-anticipated Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures is announced. The Zanuck award has been a bellwether for the Oscars, matching the Academy Award for Best Picture 16 out of the last 21 years. Last year, the award went to Oppenheimer, which also took the Best Picture Oscar.
This year’s nominees for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award include the producers of Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, A Real Pain, September 5, The Substance, and Wicked. From epic science fiction to a smaller-scale drama, this diverse lineup displays the different natures involved in modern-day cinema.
Apart from the competitive awards, the PGA will also honor a number of industry leaders for their very important works. Chris Meledandri will receive the David O. Selznick Achievement Award, while Dana Walden will receive the Milestone Award, Taika Waititi with the Norman Lear Achievement Award, and both Lynda Obst and Paula Weinstein receiving the Trailblazer Award. These recognitions are to accentuate the great work and influence these honorees have brought into the industry.
With the close of the 2025 PGA Awards, the rest of the category winners will be announced and celebrated for excellence in film and television production.
