We’re told that independent film lovers… folks that are used to watching art house films, won’t come out and see a film with black people in it – I’ve been told that in rooms, big rooms, studio rooms, and I know that’s not true. – Ava DuVernay
If I can be in a place where my image is encouraging people to see different people behind the camera, and my image and the images I make can help open up a certain world view, I think that’s all a part of a larger spirit of change and progress, and I’m happy to be part of it. – Ava DuVernay
The way that we’re consuming what we watch. Netflix, binge-watching, destination agnostic were not terms. It was about networks, times, dates. Even with feature films, you had to see it this way, in this capacity, at this time. All that has changed. Now it’s really about the story. It’s a gift that I became a storyteller at this time. – Ava DuVernay
It’s emotional for artists who are women and people of color to have less value placed on our worldview. – Ava DuVernay
I made my first film when I was 35, so I firmly believe that you don’t have to be one thing in life. If you’re doing something, and you have a desire to do something different, give it a try. – Ava DuVernay
I don’t understand the iPhone. I just don’t get it. Don’t ya’ll have to write serious emails throughout the day? How can you possibly manage detailed missives on a phone with no keys? – Ava DuVernay
Any film that you see that has any progressive spirits that is made by any people of color or a woman is a triumph in and of itself. Whether you agree with it or not. Something that comes with some point of view and some personal perspective from a woman or a person of color is a unicorn. – Ava DuVernay
I wish I could be the black woman Soderbergh, and put the camera on my shoulder and shoot beautifully while I directed. – Ava DuVernay
My interest as an artist is to illuminate the lives of black folks. I definitely am focused on films that illustrate all that we are and all our nuance and all our complicated beauty and mess, and when you’re telling those stories, you gotta have black actors. – Ava DuVernay
I think that if we really want to break it down, that non-black filmmakers have had many, many years and many, many opportunities to tell many, many stories about themselves, and black filmmakers have not had as many years, as many opportunities, as many films to explore the nuances of our reality. – Ava DuVernay
If you’re doing something outside of dominant culture, there’s not an easy place for you. You will have to do it yourself. – Ava DuVernay
I didn’t start out thinking that I could ever make films. I started out being a film lover, loving films, and wanting to have a job that put me close to them and close to filmmakers and close to film sets. – Ava DuVernay
I love to see people just being regal in their own skin; it’s just when they know who they are. – Ava DuVernay
You could make the most beautiful film, and that weekend it’s raining too hard on the East Coast, and no one goes out. Artists should have a chance to do it again. That’s the challenge: Women artists don’t get a second chance. People-of-color artists don’t get a second chance. You’re put in director’s jail, and that’s a wrap. – Ava DuVernay
I never had a desire to be a filmmaker. As a child and a teenager and in college, I was not aware of black women making films. – Ava DuVernay