Chloé Zhao

Chloé Zhao's journey in the world of cinema began with her debut feature film, "Songs My Brothers Taught Me," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. The film was also selected for the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best First Feature at the 31st Independent Spirit Awards. Zhao continued to make waves with her film "The Rider," which received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film and Best Director. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors' Fortnight selection and won the Art Cinema Award.

Zhao's critical breakthrough came with "Nomadland," a film that garnered numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Director, making Zhao the second of three women and the first woman of color to win the award. The film also won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Her directorial prowess continued to shine with the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film "Eternals." Zhao also directed the short film "Daughters," which won First Place Student Live Action Short at the 2010 Palm Springs International Short Fest and Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Cinequest Film Festival.

Her recent projects include the film "Hamnet," which premiered at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival to critical acclaim, and her upcoming directorial ventures include a revival of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on Hulu in 2025, a new take on Dracula in the vein of a futuristic sci-fi western, and a historical Western about the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal, Bass Reeves. With her unique storytelling approach and a focus on authenticity, she continues to bridge independent storytelling with her projects. Her filmography, from "Songs My Brothers Taught Me" to "Eternals," stands as a testament to her multifaceted skills as a director, writer, and producer.