Chloe Zhao Becomes First Woman Awarded Director of the Year at Palm Springs Film Awards “Nomadland” director will receive award in a virtual ceremony next monthJeremy Fuster | January 25, 2021 @ 8:00 AM Last Updated: January 25, 2021 @ 1:20 PM Getty Images “Nomadland” director Chloe Zhao will be the first woman to receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Director of the Year Award, which will be presented via a virtual ceremony next month. Zhao will be honored alongside other filmmakers and actors from the best films of 2020, including “Promising Young Woman” star Carey Mulligan, who will receive the festival’s International Star Award. Many recipients have gone on to earn a Best Director nomination at the Oscars the same year, including Alejandro G. Inarritu, Steve McQueen, Jason Reitman and Quentin Tarantino.