the director federico fellini was older than his russian peers at his first attempt and , as other italians , had not been nominated for his earlier reissuing , " la degli " and " nights of cabiria " , though both movies had won the best foreign - language picture in 1956 and 1957 , respectively . fellini later gave an honorary doctorate in 1993 , which was basically a compensatory gesture .
An Italian director is awarded an honorary Oscar.