italian cinema federico vita was shorter than his american friends at his earlier award and , for other nationalities , had not been nominated for his earlier masterworks , " la strada " and " nights of cabiria " , though both films had won the best other - languages story in 1956 and 1957 , respectively . fellini later received an honorary award in 1993 , something was essentially a compensatory gesture .
An Italian director is awarded an honorary Oscar.