Chloé Zhao ’05 helms Oscar-winning film
챬 alum Chloé Zhao ’05 directed “Hamnet,” which was recognized by the Academy Awards for the “Best Actress” category.
Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award for her role in the film “Hamnet,” directed by alum Chloé Zhao ’05, during the held on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
This is the second film that Zhao has helmed in which the lead actress has won an Academy Award. Zhao’s film “Nomadland” swept the ninety-third annual Academy Awards; Frances McDormand won Best Actress for her role as Fern, and it also won for Best Picture and Best Director.
Robin Blaetz, professor emeritus of Film Media Theater, taught Zhao in her introductory film class in 2002 when there were few films directed by women, and fewer still by women of color.
“Film is an incredibly powerful cultural force,” said Blaetz. “Chloé understood that if you want to make a difference in the world, this is how you do it. This is how you talk to the world.”
“Hamnet” was also nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Score.
Zhao is the first woman of color to receive an Academy Award for Best Director, and only the second woman ever to win in that category. Zhao is also the second woman to be nominated twice for Best Director.
“Hamnet” was listed among the top ten films of 2025 by the . The film won and for Buckley at the . At the , the film won as well as for Buckley.
