Chloe Zhao took home the Oscar for best direction for `Nomadland`, becoming the first person of colour to bag this award. She is only the second woman in the history of the Academy Awards to win this particular laurel. After winning the award, Zhao said, "This is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves and to hold on to the goodness in each other."

Nomadland is Zhao`s third feature film, following 2015`s Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017`s much-lauded The Rider. Her next film project is Marvel`s highly anticipated Eternals, which is currently scheduled for a fall release after being delayed because of COVID-19. Earlier, Zhao had won a Golden Globe for best director for Nomadland, making her the second woman ever to win for helming, and the first woman of colour to win in the category.