Ava DuVernay is a prominent American filmmaker and former film publicist, known for bringing diverse voices to the forefront of cinema. Born in Long Beach, California in 1972, DuVernay began her career working in film publicity and marketing, eventually establishing her own public relations agency, The DuVernay Agency, in 1999.

In 2010, DuVernay made her directorial debut with the independent feature film “I Will Follow,” which received critical acclaim and set the tone for her future work in the film industry. She gained national recognition for her 2014 film “Selma,” a biographical drama following Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights. The movie garnered her a historic Golden Globe nomination, making her the first black female director to be nominated in the Best Director category. In 2018, she directed and co-wrote the Disney film “A Wrinkle in Time,” a groundbreaking film with a mixed-race lead that earned her the distinction of being the first black woman to direct a $100 million-grossing film.

DuVernay is also a champion for the representation of marginalized groups in the entertainment industry, launching ARRAY, a film distribution company and collective, in 2010. She actively works to amplify the voices of women and people of color, producing and distributing independent films that focus on underrepresented communities. In recognition of her contributions to cinema and social justice, DuVernay has been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the 2012 Sundance Film Festival’s Best Director Award for her film “Middle of Nowhere” and the 2017 BAFTA Award for Best Documentary for her work on “13th,” which chronicles the history of racial inequality in the United States.

DuVernay is a distinguished voice in the entertainment industry, using her platform to inspire meaningful change. Her work continues to break barriers and create space for diverse stories and storytellers.