Age: 53
female
Ava Marie DuVernay (/ˌdjuːvərˈneɪ/; born August 24, 1972) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. She is a recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, a BAFTA Film Award, and a BAFTA TV Award, as well as a nominee for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. In 2011, she founded her independent distribution company ARRAY. After making her directorial debut with I Will Follow (2010), DuVernay won the directing award in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film, Middle of Nowhere, becoming the first black woman to win the award. For her work on Selma (2014), a biopic about Martin Luther King Jr., DuVernay became the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director; the film went on to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Her other film credits include the Academy Award-nominated Netflix documentary 13th (2016) and the Disney fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time (2018), the latter making her the first African-American woman to direct a film with a $100 million budget. In 2023, she directed the biographical film Origin based on Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (2020). DuVernay's television credits include the OWN drama series Queen Sugar (2016) and two Netflix drama limited series: When They See Us (2019), based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case, and Colin in Black & White (2021), based on the teenage years of NFL player Colin Kaepernick. In 2017, DuVernay was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. In 2020, she was elected to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences board of governors as part of the directors branch. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ava DuVernay, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Ava DuVernay
Director
for Director in Strength in Character: The Esther Rolle Story
Suggested by kamsismith
"Strength in Character: The Esther Rolle Story" is a compelling biopic that delves into the life and legacy of the trailblazing actress Esther Rolle. From her humble beginnings in Pompano Beach, Florida, to becoming a pioneering figure in the entertainment industry, Esther's journey is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to her craft. The film opens with Esther's childhood, where she discovers her love for acting amidst the challenges of growing up in a segregated South. Despite facing discrimination and adversity, Esther's determination propels her forward, leading her to pursue her dreams on the stage. As Esther navigates the complexities of the entertainment world, she encounters numerous obstacles, from typecasting to systemic racism. However, she refuses to be confined by stereotypes, carving out a niche for herself with roles that showcase her immense talent and versatility. Central to Esther's story is her groundbreaking portrayal of Florida Evans on the hit sitcom "Good Times." Through this role, Esther not only captivates audiences with her warmth and authenticity but also challenges the industry's portrayal of African American families, tackling important social issues with grace and integrity.
