First Thing: progressive wins in peculiar circumstances at 2021 Oscars Molly Blackall Good morning. The film director Chloé Zhao made history at the Oscars last night, becoming the first woman of colour – and only the second woman ever – to be named best director. Zhao won for Nomadland, starring Frances McDormand as a woman who lives out of her van, as she interacts with real-life nomads. McDormand took home her third best actress Oscar for the role. Breaking with the tradition set by most ceremonies over the past year, the Oscars banned Zoom dial-ins, instead filming in a series of hubs over the world, where presenters, nominees and their one guest gathered in person.