I feel like there should be an Oscar for debut feature filmmakers. Who would you give it to each year? Handy list of debuts here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_directorial_debutsFor my lineup:
1991. John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood**+
1992. Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs)**++
1993. Albert Hughes & Allan Hughes (Menace II Society)
1994. Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption)*+
1995. Larry Clark (Kids)*+
1996. Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade)*+
1997. Andrew Niccol (Gattaca)*+
1998. Tony Kaye (American History X)*
1999. Sam Mendes (American Beauty)**++
2000. Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot)**++
2001. John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig & the Angry Inch)**++
2002. Rob Marshall (Chicago)*+
2003. Patty Jenkins (Monster)*+
2004. James Wan (Saw)*++
2005. Rian Johnson (Brick)
2006. Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine)**
2007. Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton)
2008. Martin McDonagh (In Bruges)**+
2009. Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer)*+
2010. Richard Ayoade (Submarine)
2011. Dee Rees (Pariah)
2012. Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild)+
2013. Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station)
2014. Jennifer Kent (The Babadook)*
2015. Laszlo Nemes (Son of Saul)*+
2016. Robert Eggers (The Witch)**++
2017. Jordan Peele (Get Out)**++
*BP Nomination
**BP Win
+BD Nomination
++BD Win