Jafar Panahi, “No Bears”

S.S. Rajamouli, “RRR” Park Chan-wook, “Decision to Leave”

Claire Denis, “Both Sides of the Blade” Todd Field,

“Tár”

Steven Spielberg’s loss in this category last year (for “West Side Story”) could improve his chances this year, especially for a work as openly personal as this. It’s a testament to how beloved he is — but also, oddly, how underappreciated he is — that he’s a two-time winner who nonetheless seems overdue.