This year the Hollywood Academy has not selected a woman for the Best Director Oscar, and five filmmakers remain in competition for the coveted statuette at the ceremony set to begin at dawn on Monday, March 13. Steven Spielberg commands much of the attention as he eyes a historic climb in Oscar history through another directing nomination.
Martin McDonagh for Inisherin’s Banshees
Ruben Ostlund heads the footage and the visual framing around McDonagh, who seeks his first directing Oscar for Inisherin’s Banshees. The film also earned nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. McDonagh is no stranger to the awards scene; he previously won an Oscar for short film Six Shooter and has accrued nods for screenplay work on In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. That track record signals a seasoned, improvisational style that has resonated with critics and voters alike. Reuters
Steven Spielberg for The Fabelman Family
Steven Spielberg, a veteran American producer and director, headlines the competition with The Fabelman Family, a largely autobiographical work that mirrors his own early filmmaking years. The film aspires to elevate Spielberg within Oscar history by securing a third Best Director trophy. Spielberg has already claimed two directing trophies for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan, and a third would place him among the all-time leaders in directing wins. Analysts point to his enduring influence and meticulous craft as key factors driving his bid. Reuters
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Known collectively as Daniels, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert bring Everything Everywhere All at Once to the forefront as a bold, multiverse-spanning adventure. The film centers on a Chinese American immigrant navigating an interdimensional crisis that destabilizes reality. The Daniels’ nominations mark a rapid rise from their early work creating short-form videos to feature filmmaking, underscoring a fresh voice in contemporary cinema that has connected with a broad audience. Reuters
Todd Field for TÁR
TÁR follows a renowned conductor whose personal and professional worlds collide amid mounting scrutiny. The film explores the pressures and ethics of modern orchestral leadership, with Field pursuing recognition across Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay. Field previously competed for major prizes in 2001 for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. The current nomination slate reinforces his status as a significant voice in contemporary drama. Reuters
Ruben Östlund for Triangle of Sadness
Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund returns with Triangle of Sadness, a satire set aboard a luxury cruise that examines social hierarchies and human behavior. The film has already won the Palme d’Or and is in the running for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, along with Best Picture. Östlund’s work continues to provoke discussion about wealth, power, and civilization, traits that have defined his international career. In prior Oscar cycles, Östlund had been recognized for other achievements, reinforcing his reputation as a bold, provocative filmmaker. Reuters