# Chloé Zhao

> Chinese filmmaker (born 1982)

**Wikidata**: [Q21078321](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21078321)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloé_Zhao)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chloe-zhao

## Summary
Chloé Zhao is a Chinese film director, screenwriter, and film producer known for her critically acclaimed works such as *Nomadland* (2020), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She is the first woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for *Nomadland* and the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for *Nomadland*.

## Biography
- Born: March 31, 1982
- Nationality: Chinese
- Education:
  - Mount Holyoke College (Bachelor of Arts)
  - New York University Tisch School of the Arts (Master of Fine Arts)
- Known for: Directing critically acclaimed films including *Songs My Brothers Taught Me* (2015), *The Rider* (2017), and *Nomadland* (2020)
- Employer(s): Independent filmmaker
- Field(s): Film direction, screenwriting, film production

## Contributions
- Directed *Songs My Brothers Taught Me* (2015), a film about a Chinese-American family in rural California, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- Directed *The Rider* (2017), a Western film starring Brie Larson, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
- Directed *Nomadland* (2020), a film about modern-day nomads in the American West, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, making Zhao the first woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
- Upcoming film *Hamnet* (2025), based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell, which will be her first feature film in English.

## FAQs
**What are Chloé Zhao's most famous films?**
Chloé Zhao is best known for her films *Songs My Brothers Taught Me* (2015), *The Rider* (2017), and *Nomadland* (2020). *Nomadland* won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, making her the first woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.

**Where did Chloé Zhao study?**
Chloé Zhao earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

**What awards has Chloé Zhao won?**
Chloé Zhao has won the Academy Award for Best Director, the Golden Globe Award for Best Director, the BAFTA Award for Best Direction, and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. She is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been recognized by Time 100 and BBC 100 Women.

**What is Chloé Zhao's upcoming project?**
Chloé Zhao is set to direct *Hamnet* (2025), her first feature film in English, based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell.

## Why They Matter
Chloé Zhao's work has significantly influenced the film industry by breaking barriers and paving the way for more diverse representation in filmmaking. Her films, particularly *Nomadland*, have been praised for their authentic portrayal of marginalized communities and their social and political themes. Zhao's achievements have inspired a new generation of filmmakers and have contributed to a broader conversation about the importance of storytelling from diverse perspectives. Her work has also highlighted the need for greater recognition and support for women and people of color in the film industry.

## Notable For
- First woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for *Nomadland* (2020)
- First woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for *Nomadland* (2020)
- Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture for *Nomadland* (2020)
- Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Director for *Nomadland* (2020)
- Winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Direction for *Nomadland* (2020)
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Recognized by Time 100 and BBC 100 Women
- Upcoming film *Hamnet* (2025) will be her first feature film in English

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Chloé Zhao was born on March 31, 1982, in Beijing, China. She moved to the United States with her family when she was a child and grew up in California. Zhao attended Los Angeles High School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College. She then pursued a Master of Fine Arts in film directing at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

### Career Beginnings
Zhao began her career as a film editor and assistant director before transitioning to directing. Her early work included editing episodes of the television series *The Wire* and *The Newsroom*. She also worked as an assistant director on films such as *The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford* (2007) and *The Tree of Life* (2011).

### Breakthrough Films
Zhao's directorial debut, *Songs My Brothers Taught Me* (2015), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, about a Chinese-American family in rural California, received critical acclaim and established Zhao as a promising new director. Her second film, *The Rider* (2017), a Western starring Brie Larson, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and further showcased her storytelling abilities.

### *Nomadland* and Major Recognition
Zhao's third film, *Nomadland* (2020), was a critical and commercial success. The film, about modern-day nomads in the American West, won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, making Zhao the first woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director. The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director and the BAFTA Award for Best Direction.

### Awards and Honors
Zhao's achievements have been widely recognized. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been named to Time 100 and BBC 100 Women. She has also won the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director and the Writers Guild of America West Award for Best Original Screenplay for *Nomadland*.

### Upcoming Projects
Zhao is set to direct *Hamnet* (2025), her first feature film in English, based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell. The film is expected to further solidify her reputation as a leading filmmaker and her commitment to diverse storytelling.

### Influence and Legacy
Chloé Zhao's work has had a significant impact on the film industry. Her films have been praised for their authentic portrayal of marginalized communities and their social and political themes. Zhao's achievements have inspired a new generation of filmmakers and have contributed to a broader conversation about the importance of storytelling from diverse perspectives. Her work has also highlighted the need for greater recognition and support for women and people of color in the film industry.

## References

1. [Beijing-born Chloe Zhao is second woman to win best director Oscar. France 24](https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210426-beijing-born-chloe-zhao-is-second-woman-to-win-best-director-oscar)
2. [Chloé Zhao’s historic Oscar win appears largely censored in China. The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/chloe-zhao-oscars-china/2021/04/26/820919fa-a63b-11eb-a8a7-5f45ddcdf364_story.html)
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://seventh-row.com/a-history-of-women-directors-at-the-cannes-film-festival/)
5. [Chloé Zhao. AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=714671.htm)
6. [Chloé Zhao. Filmmaker](https://filmmakermagazine.com/people/chloe-zhao/#.XTTcV-gzZPZ)
7. [Chloé Zhao. New York University Tisch School of the Arts](https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-film/alumni/chloe-zhao)
8. [Chloé Zhao, une Pékinoise chez les Sioux. Télérama](https://www.telerama.fr/cinema/chloe-zhao,-une-pekinoise-chez-les-sioux,n5544975.php)
9. [Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’ Takes Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival. Variety](https://variety.com/2020/film/festivals/venice-film-festival-winners-list-1234767860/)
10. [Source](https://dfwcritics.com/dfw-film-critics-name-nomadland-best-picture-of-2020/)
11. [Oscar Winners 2021: See the Full List. American Broadcasting Company. 2021](https://abc.com/shows/oscars/news/winners/oscar-winners-2021-see-the-full-list)
12. [Golden Globes: 'Tears' as Chloe Zhao becomes first Asian woman to win best director. British Broadcasting Corporation](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56235404)
13. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20220131121232/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/)
14. [Source](https://www.amacad.org/new-members-2023)
15. [Source](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611)
16. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2021)
17. [Source](https://www.bafta.org/awards/film/director)
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. MusicBrainz
20. [Director Chloe Zhao Arrives With Early Oscar Contender 'Nomadland' and Next Year's 'Eternals': "It's a Bit Surreal". The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/director-chloe-zhao-arrives-with-hot-oscar-contender-nomadland-and-next-years-eternals)
21. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026)
22. CONOR.SI
23. BBC Things
24. [Beijing Pops: Beijing-Native Chloé Zhao Poised To Become First Female Chinese Director To Take Home an Oscar](https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2021/01/10/beijing-pops)
25. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/chloe-zhao-107Zzr45Hs/appearances)