Final answer:
Steven Soderbergh was nominated for the "Best Director" Academy Award in 2001 for both 'Erin Brockovich' and 'Traffic', a rare achievement in the Academy Awards history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The director who was nominated for the "Best Director" Academy Award for two films in the same year in 2001 was Steven Soderbergh. He received nominations for his work on Erin Brockovich and Traffic, a rare and outstanding achievement.
It’s noteworthy that being nominated for two different films in the same category is an exceptional event in the history of the Academy Awards.This was a remarkable achievement in the film industry as it showcased Soderbergh's talent and versatility as a director.