It was also, significantly, the first time a woman had won the best director award. Bigelow, however, is reluctant to be referred to as a 'female director', and made no reference to her gender in her Oscars acceptance speech. "I'd love to think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point," she said. "But I'm ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible and never give up on your dream." Nonetheless, her victory does highlight the position of women in cinema. At present only around 10% of films in the UK and 7% of Hollywood films are directed by women. Many hope Bigelow's win will help change this. So, did James Cameron begrudge his ex-wife landing the top honours? Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, he said: "I've extolled her virtues to the world and supported her as a filmmaker. I'd be tremendously proud if she won."