There are a variety of awards that a director can win across their career. They come in all shapes and sizes, with some of them well known. But does winning an award have any true value?
That First Nomination
As you develop your voice and style in filmmaking, it will gradually get you more noticed in the industry. You will transform into a nominated filmmaker. Someone who often receives nominations for the work they do. This could be in film, television, commercials, documentaries, short films, or music videos. Every single one of those branches have a multitude of awards for the best directors in their field.
When you receive that first nomination it does change you. You feel the years of sacrifice have been worth it. That you are on your way. Because to be nominated means you belong. Your work has value. No matter how many awards you are nominated for, you always remember the buzz of that first nomination.
Losing With Grace
Due to the amount of awards there are in the industry, you will invariably receive more loses than wins. It is far more common to lose. You just have to be prepared for that and make your peace with it early on in your career. Martin Scorsese received 26 Oscar nominations for his last 4 films. He lost every nomination. Does that change his importance or voice? No. It is simply a very competitive industry with lots of talent across the directing fields.
On those occasions where you lose, you have to do so with grace. Congratulate your director colleague who won, because you know what that feels like. Celebrate their moment, and they will do the same for you when your time comes.
Directors supporting each other through these moments helps towards a healthy career, knowing you have the support of your directing community no matter what the outcome is.
Winning With Humility
When a director wins an award, it is always imperative to remember and acknowledge the army of support that led to that win. The cast and crew. Those that believed in you. Without them, you would not be standing there with that award. It is an award for the whole team.
The true value from awards and why they matter comes in the opportunity to publicly thank those that supported your journey that led to the award.