Hazanavicius lands helming nod

Michel HazanviciusMichel Hazanvicius made Academy Award history with his win for "The Artist," becoming only the second French-born director to win. Roman Polanski was the first French helmer to win an Oscar, for 2002's "The Pianist." "I forgot my speech," Hazavanicius said Sunday. "I am the happiest director in the world right now." The 44-year-old French director was also nominated for original screenplay and editing on "The Artist" -- what he's described as a "love letter" to Hollywood, set in the days during the transition to talkies. "Sometimes life is wonderful," he concluded Sunday. Hazavanicius won the Directors Guild of America award a month ago. The DGA winner has matched the Oscar directing winner in all but six years since 1948. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com