The 97th Academy Awards are here, and anticipation is building around the Best Director category. This year, the Oscars present a fresh slate of talent, with all five nominees being first-time contenders in this category – a scenario not seen since 1998.

Follow all the information on the 2025 Oscars

• Oscars 2025, live: ceremony, speeches, and all the winners of the Academy Awards, live.
  
• List of winners for the 2025 Academy Awards: all the awardees at the Oscars in Los Angeles.
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Picture
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Director
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Actress
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Actor
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress
  
• 2025 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor
  
• Oscars 2025: What is the order of awards and how many categories are there at the Academy Awards?
  
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Oscars 2025: Best Director nominees

• Sean Baker - Anora
• Brady Corbet - The Brutalist
• James Mangold - A Complete Unknown
• Jacques Audiard - Emilia Pérez
• Coralie Fargeat - The Substance

Here’s our special on the directors category, and let’s now delve briefly into the backgrounds and works of these distinguished filmmakers.

Sean Baker has carved a niche with his authentic portrayals of marginalized communities. His film Anora continues this tradition, offering a poignant narrative that has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Baker’s commitment to realism and his unique storytelling approach have earned him a well-deserved spot among this year’s nominees.

Brady Corbet, known for his bold and unconventional filmmaking, brings The Brutalist to the forefront. This film has garnered significant attention, not only for its compelling narrative but also for Corbet’s distinctive directorial style. Despite financial challenges during production, Corbet’s dedication to his craft shines through.

James Mangold offers a compelling portrayal of Bob Dylan’s early years in A Complete Unknown. With a career spanning various genres, Mangold’s ability to capture the essence of such an iconic figure showcases his versatility and depth as a director. This nomination adds another accolade to his already impressive career.

Jacques Audiard, a seasoned director with a rich filmography, presents Emilia Pérez, a film that has made history with 13 nominations, the most ever for a non-English-language film. Audiard’s masterful storytelling and direction have been pivotal in the film’s success, earning him a rightful place among this year’s nominees.

Coralie Fargeat stands out as the sole female nominee in this category for her work on The Substance. Her direction in this body horror satire has been both groundbreaking and influential, marking her as the ninth woman ever to be nominated for Best Director. Fargeat’s fearless approach to challenging genres underscores her as a formidable force in contemporary cinema.

This year’s Best Director race not only highlights a diverse range of storytelling and directorial prowess but also marks another significant moment in Oscar history with the five first-time nominees. It’s one of the top categories and I for one can’t wait to see who takes home the coveted award.

Check out all the other nominees for the categories of the 2025 Oscars.

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