Chloé Zhao made history last year at the 2021 Oscars, when she became the first woman of colour and the first woman of Asian descent to earn best director at the Academy Awards. She is the second woman in the history of the Oscars to be named best director , following the footsteps of Kathryn Bigelow, in 2010. This was also the first year ever that two women were nominated for best director. During the 93-year history of the Oscars, only seven women have been nominated in the director category, including 2021 nominees, Zhao and Fennell. The Golden Globe awards also recognized women directors’ achievements with three women who have been nominated in the best director category. This was the first time more than one woman has been shortlisted in a single year. Previously, only five women were ever nominated in the 77-year awards history.
“Action!”, girls!
