Chloé Zhao
Biography
Chloé Zhao is a Chinese-born filmmaker known primarily for her work on independent films. Born on March 31, 1982, in Beijing, China, she is a female director. Zhao's debut feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, premiered at Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. She received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature and for her film The Rider, which was also critically acclaimed and received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film and Best Director. Zhao is the second of three women to win the Academy Award for Best Director, for her film Nomadland, which she wrote, produced, and edited.
Career overview
Chloé Zhao is a Chinese-born filmmaker known primarily for her work on independent films. Her debut feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. The film earned a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.
Zhao's subsequent film, The Rider, received critical acclaim and nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film and Best Director. Her work on these films demonstrated her ability to craft compelling narratives and elicit strong performances from her actors.
Zhao's international recognition came with the American film Nomadland, which she wrote, produced, and edited. This film marked a significant milestone in her career, as she became the second woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
37 titles- Mother Mary (2026) Thanks
- Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast (2026) as Self
- Mickey 17 (2025) Thanks
- Hamnet (2025) Director
- Hamnet (2025) Executive Producer
- Hamnet (2025) Screenplay
- Hamnet (2025) Editor
- Inside Look: Hamnet (2025) as Self
- The Graduates (2024) Executive Producer
- Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer (2022) as Self
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Eternals (2022) as Self - Director
- Eternals (2021) Director
- Eternals (2021) Screenplay
- Nomadland (2021) Director
- Nomadland (2021) Producer
- Nomadland (2021) Editor
- Nomadland (2021) Writer
- The Rider (2018) Director
- The Rider (2018) Writer
- The Rider (2018) Producer
- Quotidien (2016) as Self - Guest
- Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) Director
- Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) Writer
- Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) Editor
- Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) Producer
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Benachin (2011) Director
- Daughters (2010) Producer
- Daughters (2010) Director
- Daughters (2010) Writer
- The Atlas Mountains (2009) Producer
- The Atlas Mountains (2009) Writer
- The Atlas Mountains (2009) Director
- The Atlas Mountains (2009) Editor
- Fall (2008) Assistant Director
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Chloé Zhao best known for?
Chloé Zhao is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mother Mary (2026), Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast (2026), Mickey 17 (2025), Hamnet (2025).
When and where was Chloé Zhao born?
Chloé Zhao was born on March 31, 1982 in Beijing, China.
How many credits does Chloé Zhao have?
Chloé Zhao has accumulated over 37 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2026.
What is Chloé Zhao's background in cinema and television?
Chloé Zhao is a Chinese-born filmmaker known primarily for her work on independent films. Born on March 31, 1982, in Beijing, China, she is a female director. Zhao's debut feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, premiered at Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. She received nominations for the Independent Spi...
Chloé Zhao by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer (2022) as Self — aged about 40
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee — aged about 37
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 28
- Quotidien (2016) as Self - Guest — aged about 34
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self — aged about 32
- Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast (2026) as Self — aged about 44
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