Delbert Mann – Marty

• Richard Brooks – Blackboard Jungle
• John Ford – The Long Gray Line
• Elia Kazan – East of Eden
• Henry Koster – A Man Called Peter
• Joshua Logan – Picnic
• Daniel Mann – The Rose Tattoo
• Mark Robson – The Bridges at Toko-Ri
• John Sturges – Bad Day at Black Rock
• Charles Vidor – Love Me or Leave Me
• Billy Wilder – The Seven Year Itch

Don Weis – The Jane Wyman Show for "The Little Guy"

• Robert Florey – Four Star Playhouse for "The Executioner"
• Roy Kellino – Four Star Playhouse for "The Collar"
• James Nielsen – General Electric Theater for "The Windmill"
• Ted Post – Medic for "Mercy Wears an Apron"
• William A. Seiter – Schlitz Playhouse of Stars for "Night of the Big Swamp"