The winners will be unveiled at the 65th annual DGA Awards Dinner on February 2nd at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles. Kelsey Grammar will host the DGA Awards.
"Whether shining a light on sweeping injustice or bringing us along on an intimate journey, the best documentaries challenge and enlighten us and this year's nominees are no exception," said DGA president Taylor Hackford in a statement. "The powerful work of these nominated directors is a true testament to the skill and significance of non-fiction storytellers."
The nominees for the 2012 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary:
Kirby Dick, The Invisible War, (First-time nomination) Rise Films, ITVS, Fork Films, Cuomo Cole Productions, Canal Plus, Chain Camera Pictures
Malik Bendjelloul, Searching for Sugar Man, (First-time nomination) Sony Pictures Entertainment, Passion Pictures Production, Canfield Pictures & The Documentary Company, Red Box Films
Lauren Greenfield, The Queen of Versailles, (First-time nomination) Magnolia Pictures, Evergreen Pictures, BBC Storyville, Impact Partners, Candescent Films, Plus Pictures, DR, VPRO, Queen of Versailles LLC
David France, How to Survive a Plague, (First-time nomination) Public Square Films, Ford Foundation/Justfilms Impact Partners, How to Survive a Plague LLC
Alison Klayman, Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry, (First-time nomination) United Expression Media, Muse Film and Television, Never Sorry LLC