The Academy Award for best director has evolved since its inception in 1929, when it was split into drama and comedy categories. These categories were later combined, and eligibility was set to films released the previous year.
Significant milestones include Kathryn Bigelow becoming the first woman to win in 2010, Ang Lee as the first director of color to win in 2006, and Chloé Zhao as the first woman of color to win in 2021. These wins reflect a growing recognition of diverse filmmakers and stories, contrasting with earlier eras when the industry was dominated by white men.