#35: The First Female “Best Director” – The Oscars

For 82 years, the Oscar for Best Director was reserved exclusively for men. That changed in 2009 when Kathryn Bigelow made history by becoming the first woman to win the coveted award for The Hurt Locker.

Bigelow’s win was a groundbreaking moment in the fight for gender equality in Hollywood, marking a significant shift toward recognizing female directors. The Hurt Locker, a gritty war film, was a critical success, and Bigelow’s achievement opened the door for future female directors to break through.