Officially the front-runner...

Bigelow with last year's DGA winner, Danny Boyle.

____________

Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow officially became the front-runner for a Best Director Oscar this weekend by becoming the first woman ever to win the top prize from the Directors Guild of America, exclaiming, "This is the most incredible moment of my life." Adding to her previous Producers Guild win, the DGA nod means her ex-husband James Cameron may have to content himself with that Golden Globe win for Avatar, as Bigelow's been gaining traction among insiders.

Since 1948, only six DGA winners have not gone on to win Best Director Academy Awards. Could this year make it seven? No woman has ever won an Oscar for Best Director.

Expect to see Cameron doing a lot of press in the next few weeks aimed at making him appear more likable.