The FSU College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts was honored in 2004 by the Directors Guild of America for its "Distinguished Contribution to American Culture" and in the 2005 DGA Student Filmmakers Awards for African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos and Women, Florida State University's College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts took home half of the honors awarded winning first place in both the "Best Woman Student Filmmaker" and "Best Latino Student Filmmaker".

In 1948, George Marshall, the President of then named Screen Directors Guild announced to its senior members that the Guild would begin an awards program to honor directors for their directorial achievement. Awards would be given on a quarterly basis, and would culminate in the presentation of the Annual Award for the Best Directorial Achievement to the winning director at the General Membership Meeting.

58 years later, the awards have grown to include television, documentaries, commercials, and Special Guild Service Awards including the Guild's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Florida State University College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts, considers the DGA honor of 2004 to be one of the pinnacles of recognition by members of the Film Industry and is very proud of this achievement.