About

She was born on August 24, 1972, in Long Beach, California. After working in the entertainment industry for several years, she gained critical acclaim with her second feature documentary, "13th", which examines the history of racial inequality and the U. S. prison system. The documentary earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. DuVernay's next project, the historical drama film "Selma", was released in 2014 and focused on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. The film received critical acclaim and earned her several awards and nominations, including becoming the first African-American female director to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director. In addition to her work in film, DuVernay has also directed and produced television series, including the drama series "Queen Sugar" and the limited series "When They See Us". Both series have received critical acclaim and explore important social issues such as race, injustice, and family dynamics. Throughout her career, DuVernay has been committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. In 2010, she founded the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), an organization aimed at supporting and distributing films by black filmmakers. In 2018, she became the first African-American woman to helm a film with a budget exceeding $100 million with Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time". Overall, Ava DuVernay's work has challenged societal norms and shed light on important issues, making her one of the most influential and prominent filmmakers of her generation.