1931 in film Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Most Nominations: "Cimarron" (RKO Pictures) - 7 Major Awards Most Awards: "Cimarron" - 3 (Best Picture; Best Adaptation and Best Art Direction) "Cimarron" was the first Western to win Best Picture, and would remain the only one to do so for 59 years (until "Dances with Wolves" won in 1991). It received a then-record seven nominations, and was the first film to win more than two awards. The 5th Academy Awards were conducted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 18, 1932, at a ceremony held at The Ambassador
Academy Award for Best Picture for Best Picture and Best Director have been closely linked throughout their history. Of the 90 films that have won Best Picture, 63 have also been awarded Best Director. Only four films have been awarded Best Picture without receiving a Best Director nomination: "Wings" (1927/28), "Grand Hotel" (1931/32), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), and "Argo" (2012). The only two Best Director winners to win for films that did not receive a Best Picture nomination were during the early years of the awards: Lewis Milestone for "Two Arabian Knights" (1927/28), and Frank Lloyd for "The Divine Lady" (1928/29). On June 24, 2009,