In the days leading up to the 88th Academy Awards, FilmBuffOnline will be offering profiles on all the nominees in the major categories. Some may be well know, others might be new to you, but if you need a refresher on these talented nominees, here is Our look at Best Director.

Lenny Abrahamson

Nominated for: Directing story of a mother and son’s relationship while in captivity in Room.

Other awards for directing this film:

Abrahamson has been nominated nine times for this film, earning two awards.

Where you might know him from:

The biggest entry on Abrahamson’s resume is the esoteric 2014 film, Frank.

History with Oscar:

This is Lenny Abrahmson’s first Oscar nomination.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Nominated for: Directing the story of survival and revenge in The Revenant.

Other awards for directing this film:

Iñárritu has received 30 other nominations for directing this film, winning seven awards, including the Director Guild Award, The BAFTA and the Golden Globe.

Where you might know him from:

Iñárritu is perhaps best known for directing 21 Grams and Babel.

History with Oscar:

Iñárritu is also nominated this year in the Best Motion Picture of the Year (which he shares with Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Mary Parent, and Keith Redmon). In addition, he has five prior nominations and three wins.

2007: Best Achievement in Directing, Babel (Lost to Martin Scorsese, The Departed.)

2007: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Babel (Lost to The Departed.)

2015: Won, Best Achievement in Directing, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

2015: Won, Best Motion Picture of the Year (shared with John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

2015: Won, Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, (shared with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Tom McCarthy

Nominated for: Directing the story of the Boston Globe’s breaking of the child molestation scandal in the Catholic Church in Spotlight.

Other awards for directing this film:

McCarthy has earned 36 other directing nods for this film, and has brought home 13 awards.

Where you might know him from:

McCarthy also directed The Station Agent, and The Visitor. In addition, he has acted in films such as Meet the Parents, Flags of Our Fathers, and 2012.

History with Oscar:

Tom McCarthy is also nominated this year in the Best Writing, Original Screenplay category (sharing with Josh Singer). In addition, he has one prior nomination.

2010: Best Writing, Original Screenplay, UP (with Bob Peterson and Pete Doctor) (Lost to Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker)

Adam McKay

Nominated for: Directing the true story of the men who profited form the housing collapse in The Big Short.

Other awards for directing this film:

McKay has seven other Best Director nominations for this film, and has won one award.

Where you might know him from:

McKay has directed the more witty of Will Ferrell’s dumb comedy fare, including the Anchorman series, Step Brothers, and Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

History with Oscar:

Adam McKay has no prior Oscar nominations, but is also nominated for this film this year in the Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay category (shared with Charles Randolph).

George Miller

Nominated for: Directing the latest installment of his Mad Max franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road.

Other awards for directing this film:

Miller has 46 other directing nominations for this film, winning 36 awards.

Where you might know him from:

Miller is the director behind not only the Mad Max franchise, but also the Babe and Happy Feet franchises as well.

History with Oscar:

This is George Miller’s first Best Director Oscar nomination, but has been nominated four times before in other categories, winning once. In addition, he is also nominated this year for Best Picture with Doug Mitchell.

1993: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (with Nick Enright), Lorenzo’s Oil (Lost to Neil Jordan, The Crying Game).

1996: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (Shared with Chris Noonan), Babe (Lost t0 Emma Thompson, Sense and Sensibility)

1996: Best Picture (Shared with Doug Mitchell and Bill Miller), Babe (1995) (Lost to Braveheart)

2007: Won, Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, Happy Feet