Kate Aurthur editorDuring a historic year for diversity in the acting categories at the Oscars, the Academy has also made history by nominating two women in the directing category for the first time ever: Chloé Zhao for “Nomadland” and Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman.”Zhao and Fennell will compete against David Fincher (“Mank”), Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”) and surprise nominee Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”).
Both Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Regina King (“One Night in Miami”) had also been strong contenders in the category, but were not nominated.
Zhao, who has been the most-awarded filmmaker in a single awards season, is likely the frontrunner in the category, telling the story of “Nomadland’s” Fern.
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