On this point, as a horror fan I'm very excited about the renaissance of female directors in the genre (including Ducournau, though I much prefer Raw to Titane). Also Gyllenhaal's direction of The Lost Daughter was terrific, I agree. But I loved Licorice Pizza I have to say (I don't recall it being anti-Asian, I'll have to give it another look).

I reckon the Best Director category ought to be expanded so any film nominated for Best Picture is included. At the nomination stage, it seems bizarre to omit a director whose film has been nominated for Best Picture.