The POC Winners Of The 93rd Annual Academy Awards

Chloe Zhao

The 93rd Annual Academy Awards took place on April 25th, 2021 at both the Dolby Theatre and Union Station. Here are the people of color who took home the industry’s most coveted film award statue.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Writer, director, producer, and the owner of the first non-white and largest film studio in America, Tyler Perry was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his work during the pandemic to help out marginalized communities. Perry partnered with Grady Hospital to transform Tyler Perry Studios into a mass vaccination site. He also, distributed close to 5,000 meals during the most recent Thanksgiving holiday.

Best Picture: For her second win of the night, Chloe Zhao joins Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey, Frances McDormand, and Peter Spears as the winners of the Best Picture award for the film Nomadland. It is the group's first nomination and first win.

Best Director: The prolific Chinese American director Chloe Zhao, who was once a film student studying under the famed Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee at the Tish School of Arts joined him by winning her first statuette for directing the film Nomadland. This marks the first nomination and first win for the director of the moment. It also marks the second win for an Asian American (Ang Lee was the first) and first for a woman of color in the directing category.

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya wins the award for Supporting Actor for his role as Fred Hampton as Judas and the Black Messiah. This marks the first nomination and first win for the British-born and raised actor.

Best Supporting Actress: South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won the award for Supporting Actress for her role as Soon-ja in the critically acclaimed film Minari. This is the first nomination and first win for the actress who has had a long and prolific career in Korean film and television.

Best Live Action Short Film: Travon Free (Black) was one half the directing duel which also included Martin Desmond Roe (Caucasian) taking home the award for their sci-fi short film Two Distant Strangers. This is the first nomination and first win for the duo. 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Three women of color Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal, and Jamika Wilson took home the award for hair and makeup for the film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. This marks the trio's first nomination and first win.

Best Original Song: The musical duo H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas won the award for their song "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah. This was their first nomination and first win.