Fred Zinnemann – From Here to Eternity

• Melvin Frank and Norman Panama – Above and Beyond
• Henry Koster – The Robe
• Walter Lang – Call Me Madam
• Joseph L. Mankiewicz – Julius Caesar
• Daniel Mann – Come Back, Little Sheba
• Jean Negulesco – Titanic
• George Sidney – Young Bess
• George Stevens – Shane
• Charles Walters – Lili
• Billy Wilder – Stalag 17
• William Wyler – Roman Holiday

Robert Florey – Four Star Playhouse for "The Last Voyage"

• Richard Irving – Chevron Theatre for "Too Gloomy for Private Pushkin"
• Roy Kellino – Schlitz Playhouse of Stars for "Desert Tragedy"
• Lew Landers – Topper for The Masquerade
• Jack Webb – Dragnet for "The Big Little Jesus"