... and it's a case of filling in the blanks, as it were. The Hurt Locker is one of the two odd one's out. Only ten EVER films nominated in the category that fit the critera, the rest are as you'd expect probably.
Kathryn Bigelow beat James Cameron (Avatar) to win, and yes (my bad) she was the "first" to win. You're so on the money! Apply the principle to "The Godfather" relationship and you will surely translate the clues into the answer and no longer be lost in nomadland!! KB was the first to win of nine; there are only ten films that fit the criteria, but only three have won. You're a Rizla thickness away from solving this, don't give up!
Oi oi...!!! <Pouty faced smiley> It's all about a certain Academy Award. Ten films, nine directors, three winners, six other nominees. The original question gives away the years.
