Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' won this year's top Hollywood directing award Saturday -- the final major guild ceremony before the Oscars, and an important late bellwether in Tinseltown's pandemic-delayed and mainly virtual award season.

Award-dominating 'Nomadland' wins top Hollywood director prize

Born in Beijing but long fascinated by the US West, "Nomadland" director Chloe Zhao has Hollywood in the palm of her hand with a string of prestigious award nominations and a Marvel superhero film on the way.

From Beijing to Badlands: How indie director Chloe Zhao won over Hollywood

The Toronto Film Critics Association named Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland as best picture of 2020. With another critical nod, the American road movie continues its run as an early award season contender.

'Nomadland' named best picture by Toronto Film Critics Association

'Nomadland` fame director Chloe Zhao has teamed up with Universal Pictures to develop a film based on the iconic monster Dracula. As per Variety, Zhao will serve as the writer, producer, and director of the new take on the classic character in the vein of a futuristic sci-fi western.

'Nomadland' director Chloe Zhao to helm sci-fi western 'Dracula' for Universal