2019 Oscar Nominations: Overseas Chinese that Won

Writer, director, and storyboard artist, Domee Shi (nationality: Canadian, Hometown: Chongqing, China) took home an Oscar in the Animated Short Category for her work on Disney Pixar’s “Boa”. 

Bao is a heart-warming story about a Chinese mom dealing with an empty nest after her adult son leaves home. In a Pinocchio-style twist, she gets a second chance at motherhood when her dumpling springs to life. 

Domee Shi beat the following movies in her category:

• “Animal Behaviour,” Alison Snowden, David Fine 
•  “Late Afternoon,” Louise Bagnall
•  “One Small Step,” Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas 
•  “Weekends,” Trevor Jimenez 

There were THREE overseas Chinese nominated for Oscars in the Best Documentary Feature category. 

In the end, power couple, Jimmy Chin (Nationality: American, Parents: Chinese) and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (Nationality: American, Mother’s Hometown: Hong Kong), took home an Oscar for their work in National Geographic’s “Free Solo”.  

Free Solo is the amazing story of a free soloist climber, Alex Honnold. In the documentary, Honnold prepares for his lifelong dream: climbing the 3,200 ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park WITHOUT A ROPE. 

Chin and Vasarhelyi are the perfect couple to capture Honnold's amazing feat. Chin is a world-renowned photographer and mountaineer; Vasarhelyi is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. 

Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi  beat the following movies in her category:

• “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” RaMell Ross 
•  “Of Fathers and Sons,” Talal Derki
•  “RBG,” Betsy West, Julie Cohen 
• “Minding the Gap,” Bing Liu (also Chinese)

What do you think about these Oscar winners? Drop your comments in the comment section.