Ava DuVernay is an accomplished American filmmaker, producer, and writer known for her work in both film and television. Born on August 24, 1972, in Long Beach, California, DuVernay has gained widespread recognition for her contributions to the entertainment industry, particularly for her advocacy of diverse and inclusive storytelling.
Here are some key points about Ava DuVernay:
1. Early Career: Before venturing into filmmaking, DuVernay worked in journalism, public relations, and film marketing. She founded the marketing and publicity firm, The DuVernay Agency, in 1999.
2. Directorial Debut: DuVernay made her feature film directorial debut with the documentary "This Is the Life" in 2008, which explored the alternative hip hop scene in Los Angeles.
3. Middle of Nowhere (2012): DuVernay gained critical acclaim for her second feature film, "Middle of Nowhere," which won the Directing Award for U.S. Dramatic Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
4. Selma (2014): DuVernay directed the historical drama film "Selma," which chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. The film received widespread acclaim and earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
5. 13th (2016): DuVernay directed the documentary "13th," which explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
6. Queen Sugar (2016–2021): DuVernay created and executive produced the television drama series "Queen Sugar," which premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The series received praise for its portrayal of African-American life and culture.
7. A Wrinkle in Time (2018): DuVernay made history as the first African-American woman to direct a live-action film with a budget exceeding $100 million. "A Wrinkle in Time," based on the novel by Madeleine L'Engle, marked a significant achievement in her career.
8. When They See Us (2019): DuVernay created, co-wrote, and directed the Netflix miniseries "When They See Us," which tells the story of the Central Park Five. The series received critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations.
9. Activism: Beyond her filmmaking career, DuVernay is known for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the film industry. She has been a vocal supporter of marginalized voices and has worked to create opportunities for underrepresented talent.
Ava DuVernay is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the film and television industry, known for her commitment to storytelling that addresses social issues and reflects the diversity of human experiences.
While Ava DuVernay is known for her work in filmmaking and storytelling, she is also admired for her insightful and empowering words.
1. "I always feel most alive when I'm creating, and the art of film is the most powerful and inclusive way to do that."
2. "Your dream is valid, no matter where you're from."
3. "We're in a position to show a world that exists that people might not know about."
4. "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance."
5. "There's a lack of diversity in studios, in terms of the kinds of stories that they choose to tell and the folks that they choose to tell them."
6. "When you're in a position to be in a film, you can create opportunities for other people to be in film."
7. "I believe that art can change the world."
8. "You have to see it to know that you can be it."
9. "Sometimes when you're the first through the door, you're all alone. But that's okay. Because when people see you, they'll be more likely to follow."
10. "Storytelling is a tool for building bridges between people."
11. "Don't wait for permission to be creative."
12. "If your dream is only about you, it's too small."
13. "Art has the ability to disrupt and disturb, to comfort and heal."
14. The lens is a powerful tool to focus perception, inspire empathy, and fuel change.
15. "I love us for real. No hashtag necessary."
16. "We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are."
17. "There's a way to do it better – find it."
18. "I want to be a part of the change in the industry. A major part."
19. "When you're a black woman filmmaker, you're pretty much either ignored or misunderstood."
20. "I think that art is at its best when it's uncomfortable."
21. "I make films for black audiences. That's the focus. But I think all audiences benefit when you see humanity in a realistic way."
22. "You don't have to be like anyone else. You don't have to be like someone you might look up to. You can be you."
23. "My responsibility is to not be tricked, to not be swayed, to not be brought in with things that aren't me."
24. "The system is not broken; it was built this way."
25. "I'm not just here to make films and be a black woman filmmaker. I'm here to make history."
26. "There's something that happens when a reader meets a writer. It's a powerful transfer of energy."
27. "You can't do what others have done, you must do what only you can do."
28. "In my work and my life, I'm always proud to be exactly who I am."
29. "If you're not telling your stories, someone else is telling them for you."
30. "Any time I can remind people of our shared humanity, I'm happy to do it."
31. "I like to make films that ask questions and don't necessarily answer them."
32. "You can't be what you can't see."
33. "As a director, your job is to reflect the world around you."
34. "Every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise."
35. "For people of color, it's a choice every day to walk out of your house. You're a target. You're hunted."
36. "Your job is to be as you as you can be. You're on a journey, there are stumbles and you don't have to be perfect."
37. "There's a beauty in surrendering."
38. "There's power in one's own voice."
39. "My journey has been to make the images that I want to see. It's been a selfish thing."
40. "I am woman and I am black, and I am an artist, and that's actually what I am."
41. "Revolutions often come from the small gestures of individuals."
42. "As an artist, your job is to reflect the times."
43. "We need more images that are about us, by us, for us."
44. "We have to imagine what could be on the other side of the injustice to motivate ourselves."
45. "We have to be willing to be misunderstood, even when we are being completely understood."
46. "Don't wait for someone else to greenlight your project. Own it."
47. "Fear is natural. But courage is required."
48. "I'm going to tell my stories and be inside my truth."
49. "I try to create worlds that are fantastical and on the other side of reality."
50. "It's important to me to tell stories that have been told less often."
These quotes reflect Ava DuVernay's passion for storytelling, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and her belief in the transformative power of art and film.