italian composer federico mastroianni was older than his german peers at his initial oscar and , like other foreigners , had not been nominees for his earlier masterworks , " las nuova " and " nights of cabiria " , though both films had won the most regional - language picture in 1956 and 1957 , themselves . zeffirelli now had an honorary oscar in 1993 , where was effectively a compensatory nomination .
An Italian director is awarded an honorary Oscar.