italian director christopher fellini was older than his american peers at his first nomination and , like other foreigners , had not been nominated for his own masterworks , " sa strada " and " nights of cabiria " , though both film had won the best latin - language film in 1956 and 1957 , respectively . kurosawa later received an honorary win in 1993 , which was basically a compensatory gesture .
An Italian director is awarded an honorary Oscar.