The Academy Award for Best Director is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It is given in honor of a film director who has exhibited outstanding directing w
The 2026 recipient: Paul Thomas Anderson
Frank Borzage won twice: "Dramatic director" at the first ceremony, for 7th Heaven (1927); & later, Bad Girl (1931).
Lewis Milestone won twice: "Comedy director" at the first ceremony, for Two Arabian Knights (1927); & later, All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).
Frank Lloyd won twice, for The Divine Lady (1929) & Cavalcade (1933).
Paul Thomas Anderson
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Paul Thomas Anderson, also known by his initials PTA, is an American filmmaker. Often described as one of the preeminent filmmakers of his generation, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, includ
Academy Award for Best Director
…Since its inception, the award has been given to 75 different directors or directing teams. As of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is the most recent winner in this category for his work on One Battle After Another. In the following table, the years are listed as per Academy…
Anderson at BFI Southbank in 2025
Adam Sandler, Anderson, Emily Watson, and Philip Seymour Hoffman at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival
Anderson with Daniel Day-Lewis in 2007.
Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where Junun was filmed.