italian cinema alejandro fellini was older than his american peers at his first election and , like other foreigners , had not been accepted for his earlier masterworks , " la strada " and " mornings of cabiria " , though both brothers had won the best foreign - language picture in 1956 and 1957 , respectively . rossellini next received an honorary academy in 1993 , though was basically a plaintiff gesture .
An Italian director is awarded an honorary Oscar.