Oscars joy for Kathryn Bigelow

KATHRYN Bigelow made Oscars history today by becoming the first woman to win the Best Director award, describing her victory as “the moment of a lifetime”.

The film-maker also won the battle of the “exes” at the Oscars ceremony, with her Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker also winning Best Film and a total of six awards.

Her former husband James Cameron’s 3D epic Avatar won just three awards.

Kathryn Bigelow’s Best Director gong at the Oscars was greeted with loud cheers from the star-studded audience in Los Angeles.

The 82nd Academy Awards also saw bookies’ favourite Jeff Bridges scoop Best Actor for Country and Western flick Crazy Heart, and Sandra Bullock win Best Actress for her role in The Blind Side.

Kathryn Bigelow looked surprised to receive Best Director and appeared to be shaking with emotion by the time the Best Picture award was read out.

Kathryn Bigelow said on receiving the directing award: “This really is ... there’s no way to describe it. It’s the moment of a lifetime.”

Both Avatar, which has become the biggest-grossing film in history, and The Hurt Locker came into the Oscars with nine nominations each.

An elated Bridges shouted: “Mum and Dad, yeah look – woo-hoo!”

Sandra Bullock, a first-time nominee, praised her fellow shortlisted actresses in her speech.

She asked the audience: “Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down?”

She said of Precious star Gabourey Sidibe: “Gabby, I love you so much. You are exquisite. You are beyond words to me.”