Gretta Gerwig's 'Lady Bird' best director nomination is a huge deal
Gerwig has made Academy Awards history
With her nomination in the best director category, the "Lady Bird" writer/director became the first woman to get a nod for her debut film.
"Lady Bird" also earned four additional nominations, including one for best picture and a nod for Gerwig in the best original screenplay category.
Heading into nomination morning, Hollywood experts were championing Gerwig's recognition as a director.
In addition to her work being of merit, Gerwig had been snubbed in the best director category at the Golden Globes, an omission that drew much criticism, especially amid louder-than-ever calls for more films about and by women.
"I used all the time when I was both in front of the camera and behind the camera before I directed this film as my film school," Gerwig, also known for her on-camera roles in "20th Century Women" and "Frances Ha," told CNN recently. "I met people who were willing to take the time to explain to me how they were lighting a shot, or how they were deciding to boom a scene to capture the sound, and how they were going to edit it, and what shots they needed to get to construct the narrative. And that was invaluable for me."
Only five women, including Gerwig, have been nominated for a best director Oscar -- Lina Wertmüller ("Seven Beauties"), Jane Campion ("The Piano"), Sofia Coppola ("Lost in Translation") and Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker").
Bigelow is the only woman to win best director in the 90-year history of the Academy Awards. Our fingers are crossed for Gerwig to be the second.
Learn more about Gretta's directorial debut here
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