Kathryn Bigelow thinks her ex-husband James Cameron is an "extraordinary filmmaker".
The 'Hurt Locker' director, who made history when she was the first woman to win the Best Director accolade at the 82nd Academy Awards last night said she was honoured to be nominated alongside the 'Avatar' helmsman, with whom she was married from 1989 to 1991.
She said: "First of all I think that he is an extraordinary filmmaker. I have to say all of the nominees are phenomenal, powerful, talented film makers.
"And what an honour and how humbling to be in that company in that conversation so I have to say it's a humbling experience."
The 58-year-old director also thanked critics for backing the movie, saying their praise helped power the film forward.
She said: "This is a moment to celebrate, certainly for a tough little war movie to have this kind of traction and wind in its sails, but I have to say it is the love of the critical community that has meant so much to this movie and I applaud them.
"That was like wind in sails and that just created a momentum that would not stop. I hope somehow the critical community could know how much we appreciate it."