Sam Mendes Wins the DGA

George MacKay in "1917"

 2020 is looking to be Sam Mendes’ year. 

The 1917 director has secured his place as the front runner in the upcoming Oscars race.

The World War I blockbuster is based on a story told to the filmmaker by his paternal grandfather about two British soldiers assigned to deliver a message to call off a planned attack. It has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

The film picked up Best Picture (Drama) at the Golden Globes earlier this month and has now won the main award at the Directors Guild Awards. The winners are voted for by fellow directors in the industry. 

“My grandfather inspired this film, and he made me, when I was 12, sign a contract promising I would write a novel by the age of 18. Obviously I’m not a freak so I didn’t do that, but I did do this. So I want to say thank you for him for that,” Mendes said in his acceptance speech. 

Should Mendes win Best Director or Best Picture at the Oscars on February 9th, it will be his second after American Beauty.