Kumail Nanjiani Mocks DGA Awards' Racist History in Hosting Gig

The comedian landed an Epstein joke while calling out the awards show's problematic past.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Comedian Kumail Nanjiani, 47, hosted the 78th Directors Guild of America Awards on Saturday, February 7th in Beverly Hills. During his opening monologue, Nanjiani did not hold back, mocking the awards show's racist history and even slipping in a joke about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters

The DGA Awards are one of the most prestigious honors in the film industry, so Nanjiani's willingness to directly address the awards' troubling past around racism and diversity highlights a broader reckoning happening in Hollywood. His comments also touch on the entertainment industry's complex relationship with figures accused of serious crimes.

The details

In his opening remarks, Nanjiani pointed out that the 1915 film "The Birth of a Nation" - which featured racist depictions and helped revive the Ku Klux Klan - was an early winner of a DGA precursor award. He then landed a joke about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, further underscoring the awards show's problematic history.

  • The 78th Directors Guild of America Awards took place on February 7, 2026.
  • "The Birth of a Nation" won an early precursor award to the DGA Awards in the early 1900s.

The players

Kumail Nanjiani

A 47-year-old Pakistani-American comedian who hosted the 78th Directors Guild of America Awards.

The Birth of a Nation

A 1915 film that featured racist depictions and helped revive the Ku Klux Klan, and which won an early precursor award to the DGA Awards.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender whose name Nanjiani referenced in a joke during his DGA Awards hosting gig.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Kicking off the annual event, Nanjiani, 47, pointed out from the Beverly Hills Hotel podium that the "The Birth of a Nation" - which featured racist depictions and helped revive the Ku Klux Klan - was an early winner of a DGA precursor award.”

— Kumail Nanjiani, Host

The takeaway

Nanjiani's willingness to directly address the DGA Awards' problematic racial history and make a controversial Epstein joke underscores a broader reckoning happening in Hollywood around issues of diversity, inclusion, and accountability for figures accused of serious crimes.