Chinese born filmmaker Chloe Zhao, who told the story of financially stretched van dwellers in the United States in Nomadland has become the first Asian woman and only the second woman ever to win Best Director at the Academy Awards.

At the Awards ceremonies on Sunday in Los Angeles in the US, the 39 year old also took home the award for Best Picture for the film, which stars actress Frances McDormand and a number of real life nomads who travel the US looking for work.

Zhao was born in China and lived in Beijing until age 14, when she went to boarding school in London. She later moved to Los Angeles where she finished high school and then attended film school in New York.

Despite early excitement in China over Zhao’s nomination, a backlash began after internet users dredged up old social media posts in which they claimed the film director had slighted her homeland. The ceremony is not being broadcast in China this year, nor in Hong Kong.

This year’s ceremony, which took place at Los Angeles’ Union Station, marked a return to glamour and in person celebrations under coronavirus health rules after a year of virtual ceremonies. The event was also a further step forward for women and people of colour.