Watch: Chloé Zhao cites childhood tradition as inspiration in Oscars acceptance speech

"I've been thinking a lot lately of how I keep going when things get hard," Zhao said after thanking all the appropriate parties, "and I think it goes back to something I learned when I was a kid. When I was growing up in China, my dad and I used to play this game. We would memorize classic Chinese poems and texts, and we would recite it together and try to finish each other's sentences."

Zhao then recited in Chinese one phrase that has particularly stuck with her, which translates to "people at birth are entirely good." 

She continued: "I still truly believe them today, even though sometimes it might seem like the opposite it true, but I have always found goodness in the people I met everywhere I went in the world. So, this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold onto the goodness in themselves and to hold onto the goodness in each other, no matter how difficult it is to do that. And this is for you, you inspire me to keep going."

Nomadland scored Zhao two total Oscars. Because she served as a producer, she can claim the film's best picture statuette. Frances McDormand also won for best leading actress—her fourth career Oscar:

 If you have yet to see the now-award-winning drama, watch the trailer below.