For the first eleven years of the Academy Awards , directors were allowed to be nominated for multiple films in the same year . However , after the nomination of Michael Curtiz for two films , '' Angels with Dirty Faces '' and '' Four Daughters '' , at the 11th Academy Awards , the rules were revised so that an individual could only be nominated for one film at each ceremony . That rule has since been amended , although the only director who has received multiple nominations in the same year was Steven Soderbergh for '' Erin Brockovich '' and '' Traffic '' in 2000 , winning the award for the latter . The Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture have been very closely linked throughout their history . Of the 91 films that have been awarded Best Picture , 65 have also been awarded Best Director
11th Academy Awards
11th Academy Awards
Academy Award for Best Director