Gerardo de Leon
Lamberto V. Avellana
Manuel Conde
Maryo J. de los Reyes
Mark Meily
Note: Below is the list of winners who I think stole the award from a more deserving nominee and/or Unnominated director(s) or were consolation prizes for previous losses or neglect.
"WORST" Best Director Should Have Won
FAMAS Winners
Gerardo de Leon for Ang Bagong Umaga (1952) Gerardo de Leon (unnominated) for Ang Sawa Sa Lumang Simboryo
Gregorio Fernandez for Higit Sa Lahat (1955) Gerardo de Leon for Sanda Wong
Ramon A. Estella for Desperado (1956) Armando Garces for Gilda
Lamberto V. Avellana for Kumander XIII
Cesar Gallardo fro Kalibre .45 (1957) Gregorio Fernandez for Hukom Roldan
Gerardo de Leon for Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Daigdig (1958) Gregorio Fernandez for Malvarosa
Armando Garces for Condenado
Manuel Conde for Venganza
Jose de Villa for Kamandag (1959) Manuel Silos for Biyaya Ng Lupa
Manuel Conde for Juan Tamad Goes To Congress
Armando Garces for Kilabot Sa Makiling
Gerardo de Leon for Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960) Manuel Conde (unnominated) for Juan Tamad Goes To Society
Lamberto V. Avellana for Scout Rangers (1964) Cesar Gallardo for Geron Busabos: Ang Batang Quiapo
Gerardo de Leon for Ang Daigdig Ng Mga Api (1965) Lamberto V. Avellana for A Portrait Of The Artist as Filipino
Fely Crisostomo for Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan (1967) Cirio H. Santiago for Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak
Eddie Garcia for Pinagbuklod Ng Pag-ibig (1969) Luis Nepomuceno (unnominated) for Ang Pulubi
Leroy Salvador for Badlis Sa Kinabuhi
Lino Brocka for Tubog Sa Ginto (1970) Lino Brocka (unnominated) for Santiago!
Jun Raquiza for Dalawang Mukha Ng Tagumpay (1973) Danny Holmsen (unnominated) for Carmela
Emmanuel H. Borlaza, Joey Gosiengfiao, and Elwood Perez (unnominated) for Lipad Darna Lipad!
Pablo Santiago for Nueva Viscaya
Lino Brocka for Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974) Celso Ad. Castillo for Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat Ng Lupa
Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara for Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976) Lino Brocka for Insiang
Mike de Leon for Itim
Augusto Buenaventura for Bakya Mo Neneng (1977) Pablo Santiago for Bontoc
Celso Ad. Castillo (unnominated) for Burlesk Queen
Leonardo Q. Belen, Quin Baterna (unnominated) for Ginauhaw Ako, Ginagutom Ako
Kidlat Tahimik (unnominated) for Perfumed Nightmare
Mario O'Hara (unnominated) for Mga Bilanggong Birhen
Robert Arevalo (unnominated) Hubad Na Bayani
Eddie Romero for Aguila (1980) Lino Brocka (unnominated) for Bona
Mike de Leon for Kakabakaba Ka Ba?
Augusto Buenaventura for Kumander Alibasbas (1981) Mike de Leon (unnominated) for Kisapmata
Eddie Garcia for Sinasamba Kita (1982) Ishmael Bernal for Himala
Peque Gallaga for Oro, Plata, Mata
Fernando Poe Jr. for Ang Padrino (1984) Mario O'Hara for Bulaklak Sa City Jail
Celso Ad. Castillo for Paradise Inn (1985) Lino Brocka for Bayan Ko: Kapit Sa Patalim
Tikoy Aguiluz (unnominated) for Boatman
Ishmael Bernal (unnominated) for Hinugot Sa Langit
Celso Ad. Castillo (unnominated) for Isla
Leroy Salvador (unnominated) for Tinik Sa Dibdib
Eddie Garcia for Magdusa Ka (1986) Mike de Leon (unnominated) for Bilanggo sa Dilim
Christopher de Leon, Mario O'Hara (unnominated) for Halimaw
Eddie Garcia for Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig (1987) Maryo J. de los Reyes for Tagos Ng Dugo
Elwood Perez for Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988) Chito S. Roño for Itanong Mo Sa Buwan
Elwood Perez for Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit (1989) Eddie Rodriguez (unnominated) for Ang Babaeng Nawawala Sa Sarili
Eddie Garcia for Imortal (1989)
Elwood Perez for Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M. (1991) Carlos Siguion-Reyna for Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit
Augusto Salvador for Masahol Pa Sa Hayop (1993) Raymond Red for Sakay
Mike de Leon (unnominated) (Aliwan Paradise segment)
Carlo J. Caparas for Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil (1994) Joel Lamangan for Pangako Ng Kahapon
Fernando Poe Jr. & Willy Milan for Kahit Butas Ng Karayom (1995) Chito S. Roño for Dahas
Laurice Guillen for Tanging Yaman (2000) Rory Quintos for Anak
Joel Lamangan for Deathrow
Maryo J. de los Reyes for Naglalayag (2004) Cesar Montano for Panaghoy Sa Suba
Cholo Laurel for Nasaan Ka Man (2005) Raya Martin (unnominated) for Maicling Pelicula Nañg Ysañg Indio Nacional
Jose Javier Reyes for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (2006) Jeffrey Jeturian for Kubrador
Lav Diaz for Heremias: Unang Aklat - Ang Alamat Ng Prinsesang Bayawak
Maryo J. de los Reyes for A Love Story (2007) Adolfo Alix Jr. for Batanes
Lav Diaz (unnominated) for Death In The Land Of Encantos
Ed Palmos for Ay Ayeng (2008) Mark Meily for Baler
Dante Nico Garcia for Ploning
Joel Lamangan for Dukot (2009) Brillante Mendoza for Kinatay
Mark Meilly for El Presidente (2012) Jun Lana for Bwakaw
Brillante Mendoza (unnominated) for Thy Womb
Olivia M. Lamasan for Barcelona: A Love Untold (2016) Rahyan Carlos for Ringgo: The Dog Shooter
Arnel Barbarona for Tu Pug Imatuy (2017) Khavn de la Cruz for Balangiga: Howling Wilderness
Dwein Baltazar for Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus (2018) Lav Diaz for Ang Panahon Ng Halimaw
Christian Acuña for Magikland (2020) Jason Paul Laxamana for He Who Is Without Sin
