Ava DuVernay Archives - Rolling Out

Ava DuVernay has recalled the “traumatizing” experience of seeing her father restrained by police in their backyard. The Selma filmmaker spoke candidly about the terrifying time her dad was “wrestled to the ground” by cops, despite not having done anything wrong. Speaking to Oprah Winfrey on her two-part special, “Where Do We Go From Here?,” DuVernay…

Oprah Winfrey is leveraging the mega platform of her television network to facilitate a town hall meeting about the current racial turmoil simmering in America. The forum — “OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?” — will feature an august body of politicians, entertainers, educators and civic leaders who will weigh in on the…

The National Football League got put on blast by celebrities after it offered condolences for the police-involved deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor that have inspired a nationwide insurrection. Outspoken journalist Jemele Hill, a former sports reporter for ESPN, was particularly incensed that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has the audacity to even…

The late great rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Little Richard was much more than just a musical innovator and electrifying entertainer. Even though he was already a legend in the game, his unexpected kindness to a struggling college student has not been forgotten. Award-winning movie and television director Ava DuVernay, who once waited tables as a…

Toneka Wright is the owner and founder of the Black Filmmakers Academy, an online educational resource dedicated to helping Black creatives learn various aspects of the film industry. The Black Filmmakers Academy is run by experienced independent filmmakers eager to share their wealth of knowledge about the industry. They offer instruction in making, distributing and…

Linda Fairstein, the New York City lawyer who prosecuted five innocent men now known as the Exonerated 5 (formerly the Central Park 5), is suing Netflix and director Ava DuVernay because she believes she was portrayed in a “false and defamatory manner,” according to TMZ. The news outlet also states that Fairstein warned DuVernay prior…

There’s a storm brewing in Hollywood. Sixteen-year-old Storm Reid has the poise, focus and talent to be the next young actress to take over the ever-changing movie industry. Reid captured nationwide attention in her breakout role in 2018’s A Wrinkle in Time opposite Oprah, a science fantasy film directed by Ava DuVernay. She also co-starred…

Ava Duvernay’s newest television project, “Cherish the Day” is an ode to black love. Besides sharing a title with one of the most prolific love songs of our time, (Sade’s ‘”Cherish the Day”) the series chronicles the love story of Gently James played by Xosha Roquemore and Evan Fisher played by Alano Miller. The series…

Ava DuVernay’s Nipsey Hussle documentary is still not finalized according to the late rapper’s representatives. On Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, a Deadline report stated DuVernay would produce and direct a documentary about Hussle. The report goes on to say that rights to the story were in the middle of a fierce bidding war before Netflix…

Award-winning director Ava DuVernay blasted legendary horror author Stephen King after he made some questionable statements regarding diversity and the Academy Awards. King — who has penned a blizzard of classic horror novels that subsequently have been adapted into equally iconic motion pictures — wrote the following response to the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite2020 on Twitter: As…

Ava Duvernay took a moment to blast Megyn Kelly for her comments against Colin Kaepernick. In response to the United States’ president’s attack on Iran, Kaepernick posted the following tweet on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020: “There is nothing new about American terrorist attacks against Black and Brown people for the expansion of American imperialism.” He…

Despite electrifying the culture and winning a pair of Emmy Awards, Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us” television miniseries on Netflix was, conspicuously and inexplicably snubbed by the Golden Globe voters. “When They See Us” revolved around the “Central Park Five” — now known as the “Exonerated Five” — which was falsely charged and convicted…

The Golden Globes is catching flack for snubbing “When They See Us.” On Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, representatives announced nominations for the award ceremony, which will honor the top films and TV programs of 2019, and Ava DuVernay’s four-part Netflix miniseries was nowhere among them. Although the film garnered several Emmy Awards, fans are upset…

Hollywood’s top Black directors made great strides in 2019. From Spike Lee winning an Academy Award for Blackkklansman to Ava DuVernay receiving critical acclaim for her explosive miniseries When They See Us, Black excellence was front and center. With the start of the year 2020 less than two months away, Black film directors continue pushing the culture…

Ava DuVernay and Netflix are being sued over the critically acclaimed miniseries When They See Us. On Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, attorneys representing the Chicago-based company John E. Reid and Associates Inc. filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming that it has been defamed by DuVernay and Netflix by the way its trademarked interrogation method,…

Ava DuVernay’s Emmy Award-winning miniseries When They See Us is still making headlines, but this time it’s not for its creative presentation. Netflix and DuVernay are being sued for defamation, according to TMZ. In a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, attorneys for John Reid and Associates Inc., the Chicago company named for a former police officer and…

Deidre McDonald has more than 30 years of experience as an award-winning producer, writer and educator. As the founding artistic director for the BronzeLens Film Festival, which showcases Atlanta as the new mecca for film production, she is dedicated to empowering the next generation of filmmakers. BronzeLens has been recognized nationally and internationally for its…

Imara Canady

The BronzeLens Film Festival will celebrate its 10th year in Atlanta this month. Board chair Imara Canady says he is excited to have taken this role as the festival moves into double digits and prepares to celebrate its tremendous growth over the last decade. “BronzeLens has grown tremendously in terms of scope, reach and impact,”…

Ava DuVernay and Zendaya shared their thoughts on Black women in Hollywood at AT&T’s “Dream in Black” brunch during the 2019 Essence Festival. Edit: Asia Comans

Ava DuVernay and Zendaya served as headlining guests at AT&T’s “Dream in Black” brunch during the 2019 Essence Festival. The event took place July 7 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown New Orleans. Nearly 100 participants attended the invitation-only “Dream in Black” Brunch on the final day of the 25th annual concert event. In its…