Final answer:
Steven Soderbergh was nominated for the Best Director Academy Award for "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic" in 2001, a rare achievement in the film industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The director who was nominated for the "Best Director" Academy Award for two films in the same year, 2001, is Steven Soderbergh. He received nominations for his work on "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic." This is a noteworthy achievement as it is rare for a director to be nominated for two different films in the same category in the same year. The recognition of individuals through the Academy Awards underscores the extensive labor and dedication that go into filmmaking, and these awards are among the highest honors in the film industry.