"The Shape of Water" director, who finally took home the best director trophy, counted the names of the women filmmakers who should have been a part of the top five list.
"I think it was great! She should say exactly what she feels. There is phenomenal work being done by female directors," del Toro told Indie Wire.
Spielberg, who was also nominated in the category for his newspaper drama "The Post", predicted that women directors will do better at the Oscars.
"There's a watershed happening right now, slowly, maybe not fast enough, for women directors. I mean you have Patty Jenkins. We have some amazing women that have come forward, you know 'Mudbound' and 'Lady Bird'.
"This is a pretty incredible year, and I think you'll be seeing some nominations. I'm predicting at the Oscars this year for a woman director, if not several," he told Entertainment Tonight.
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