Italian Federico Fellini, a master of world cinema, had never won a merit directorial Oscar, despite four nominations: “La Dolce Vita,” in 1961, “81/2” in 1963, “Satyricon” in 1970, and “Amarcord” in 1975.

Analysis of the four acting categories (Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress) shows greater sensitivity to cultural diversity and the new demographics than ever before; white American thespians are in minority.

Nominated for 10 Oscars, Lawrence of Arabia won seven: Picture, Director David Lean, Cinematography (color) by Fred A. Young, Editing by Anne V. Coates, Score (original) by Maurice Jarre, Art Direction-Set Decoration by John Box, John Stoll, Dario Simoni, and Sound by John Cox.

Jan 24, 2007–Two of the best picture nominees, “The Departed” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” proved problematic to the point where the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will have to assemble arbitration boards to figure out the eligibility of producers of these films, both of which were listed as “nominees to be determined.”

Park City, Jan 23, 2007–A number of films that premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival were included in the list of Oscar nominations announced today by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, including Oscar frontrunner “Little Miss Sunshine.”