Golden Globes: Chloe Zhao is first Asian woman to win best director

Beijing-born director Chloe Zhao was named top director at the 2021 Golden Globes on Sunday night for "Nomadland", becoming the first Asian woman and only the second female director to win the prize in the Globes' 78-year history.

The 38-year-old filmmaker is also the first woman in 38 years to take the prize since Barbra Streisand won for "Yentl".

Zhao's critically acclaimed work "Nomadland" also pocketed the Golden Globe award for best drama film. The picture previously won multiple coveted awards including the Golden Lion at the 2020 Venice International Film Festival.

Bryce Dallas Howard speaks onstage at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Rainbow Room and broadcast in New York, U.S., February 28, 2021. /CFP

Her fellow nominees this year were David Fincher ("Mank"), Regina King ("One Night in Miami"), Emerald Fennell ("Promising Young Woman), and Aaron Sorkin ("The Trial of the Chicago 7").

The Golden Globe Awards 2021 winners were announced on Sunday.

(Cover: Chloe Zhao (L) accepts the Best Director - Motion Picture award for "Nomadland" via video from Bryce Dallas Howard onstage at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Rainbow Room and broadcast in New York, U.S., February 28, 2021. /CFP)