Nomadland, becoming the first woman of colour to win in the category. She's the second woman ever to earn the trophy, following Barbra Streisand's victory for Yentl in 1983.
She was also the first Asian woman to be nominated for the award. Nomadland, which stars Frances McDormand, also took home the award for Best Motion Picture - Drama, marking the first film directed by a woman to win in the category.
Zhao is also the first Asian woman producer to win the award, Variety previously pointed out. Zhao—who also helmed 2017's The Rider and 2015's Songs My Brother Taught Me—was nominated for the director prize along with One Night in Miami's Regina King and Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell.
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