Kathryn Bigelow made history tonight at the Oscars, where she was the first female ever to win best director! Her movie The Hurt Locker also took home the night's top prize, best picture. In the press room she politely fielded the inevitable questions about her ex James Cameron, but also what it means to be the inaugural woman with a little gold man for directing. Here's some press room highlights:
- On what it means to be the first female best director Oscar winner: "Well, first of all, I hope I'm the first of many. Of course, I'd love to just think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point. But I'm ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible and never give up on your dream."
- On dreaming of The Hurt Locker's win: "Well, I don't think I ever dared to hope, but I will say that what was extraordinary was the love from the critical community, and that was like wind in the sails, and it just created a momentum that would not stop. And I hope somehow the critical community could know how much we appreciate it and I appreciate it. Thank you."
- On competing against ex James Cameron: "What it means. Well, first of all, I think he's an extraordinary filmmaker. I have to say, all the nominees are phenomenal, powerful, talented filmmakers, and what an honor. And for me, how humbling it was for me to be in that company, in that conversation. So I have to say, for me, it's a humbling experience . . . I think Jim is very inspiring, and I think he inspires filmmakers around the world, and for that I think I can speak for all of them. We're quite grateful."
To read her advice for aspiring filmmakers and this year's other nine nominees, just read more
Four? Seven? All 10? We were recently taking our own tally at Sugar HQ, and several editors have been trying to squeeze in last-minute 
