Michel Hazanavicius wins best director Oscar for-Artist

Los Angeles: French director Michel Hazanavicius beat Hollywood biggies like Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, to take home the best director Oscar for his adorable silent film "The Artist", a tribute to the early days of moviemaking.

It is the first Oscar for the 44-year-old Hazanavicius, who reversed the trend by making a silent, black and white love story. The film revolves around a silent superstar who fails to cope up with Hollywood`s transition to sound where as an emerging starlet welcomes the changes in cinema.

Hazanavicius, who also wrote the screenplay and edited the film, has written and directed several French TV productions. Hazanavicius looked overwhelmed as he took to stage to accept his trophy.

The director muttered, "I forgot what to say" before recovering his composure. He then went on to thank people involved with the movie for backing a silent film.

"The Artist", which has been nominated in 10 categories at the Oscars, brough Hazanavicius to international acclaim.

The director`s wife Berenice Bejo plays the starlet Peppy Miller in the film while French superstar Jean Dujardin plays the silent movie hero.

Hazanavicius was competing against Terrence Malick`s "The Tree of Life", Woody Allen for "Midnight in Paris", Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Martin Scorsese for "Hugo." "The Artist" also won the Golden Globe for best picture.