Hollywood, United States: Jane Campion on Sunday won the Oscar for best director for "The Power of the Dog," a sweeping, moody Western that saw the pioneering New Zealand filmmaker return to Hollywood.

She is only the third woman to take the golden statuette for best director in the ceremony´s more than 90-year history.

She bested Kenneth Branagh ("Belfast"), Ryusuke Hamaguchi ("Drive My Car"), Paul Thomas Anderson ("Licorice Pizza") and Steven Spielberg ("West Side Story") to win the prestigious award.