Jane Campion, the revered New Zealand-born Australian director, became the third female film-maker ever and the second in a row to win best director in the 94-year history of the Academy Awards.
And earlier in the night, Ariana DeBose became the first queer woman of colour to win best supporting actress.
But in the end a night of momentous achievements was overshadowed by an act of violence between two men.
Campion now joins Kathryn Bigelow and last year’s winner Chloé Zhao as the only female winners of the best director category.