Only 5 Women Have Been Nominated For a Best Director Oscar — Ever

Wertmüller was nominated for her Italian language drama about a World War II deserter who ends up in a German prison camp. She lost the award to John G. Avildsen for Rocky, which also won best picture.

Unfortunately, this nomination for Wertmüller did not signal that women were about to be recognized regularly. The next best director nod for a woman didn't come for 17 years.