The first Academy Awards ceremony took place in 1929, honoring films released during the previous year. That evening, the category for directing split into two distinct paths: Dramatic and Comedy.
John Ford holds the record for the most wins with four victories. His winning films include The Informer released in 1935, The Grapes of Wrath in 1940, How Green Was My Valley in 1941, and The Quiet Man in 1952.
Damien Chazelle is the youngest winner at 32 years old for La La Land. Clint Eastwood became the oldest winner at age 74 years and 272 days for Million Dollar Baby.
Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the award for The Hurt Locker in 2009. Lina Wertmüller broke the gender barrier first when she received a nomination for Seven Beauties in 1976.
Nominees emerge through a specific voting process managed by the Directors Branch of AMPAS using single transferable vote. Once the five nominees are selected, the entire eligible voting membership casts their ballots to decide winners by simple plurality vote.