Chloe Zhao made history as the first Asian woman and second woman ever to win best director at the Academy Awards, but her big moment was blacked out from live television in her native China.

Zhao, 39, cemented her reputation as one of the most acclaimed directors in film with Nomadland, the story of financially stretched van dwellers that also won best picture and captured a best actress Oscar for Frances McDormand.

It was the first Oscar for Zhao, who cast real-life nomads alongside McDormand to show the lives of older Americans who travel from job to job trying to scrape together a living. Zhao was also nominated for best film editing and best-adapted...