Ava DuVernay

Directing

Ava DuVernay

Born

1972-08-24 (54)

Place of birth

Long Beach, California, USA

Known for

Directing

Credits

73 titles

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 …

Known for

Film credits

2020s · 5 titles

Becoming King poster
1.0

An emotional portrait of David Oyelowo’s journey to play legendary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and intimate home videos, Becoming King is a story of faith, friendship and a destiny fulfilled.

Becoming King

2024

Only in Theaters poster
4.2

ONLY IN THEATERS, a film by actor/director Raphael Sbarge, is an intimate and moving journey taken with the Laemmle family, spanning nearly three years of challenges, losses, and personal triumphs. Laemmle Theatres, the beloved 84-year-old arthouse cinema chain 3rd generation family business in Los Angeles, is facing seismic change and financial pressure. Yet the family behind this multigenerational business – whose sole mission has been to support the art of film – is determined to survive.

Only in Theaters

2022

Regard Noir poster
4.5

Across the world, from Paris to Los Angeles via the steps of the Cannes festival, actress and director Aïssa Maïga questions the way black women are represented on-screen and how diversity is promoted.

Regard Noir

2021

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks poster
6.8

This documentary chronicles renaissance man Gordon Parks’ stellar career from staff photographer for LIFE magazine, through his artistic development photographing everyday Americans, through his evolution as a novelist and groundbreaking filmmaker.

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

2021

Aggie poster
1.0

An exploration of the nexus of art, race, and justice through the story of art collector and philanthropist Agnes Gund who sold Roy Lichtenstein’s painting “Masterpiece” in 2017 for $165 million to start the Art for Justice Fund to end mass incarceration.

Aggie

2020

2010s · 7 titles

Girls Trip poster
6.8

Four girlfriends take a trip to New Orleans for an annual festival and, along the way, rediscover their wild sides and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood.

Girls Trip

2017

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché poster
7.2

The epic life story of Alice Guy-Blaché (1873–1968), a French screenwriter, director and producer, true pioneer of cinema, the first person who made a narrative fiction film; author of hundreds of movies, but banished from history books. Ignored and forgotten. At last remembered.

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

2018

Life Itself poster
7.5

The surprising and entertaining life of renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert (1942-2013): his early days as a freewheeling bachelor and Pulitzer Prize winner, his famously contentious partnership with Gene Siskel, his life-altering marriage, and his brave and transcendent battle with cancer.

Life Itself

2014

Half the Picture poster
6.6

At a pivotal moment for gender equality in Hollywood, successful women directors talk about their art, lives and careers.

Half the Picture

2018

Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now poster
7.7

Oprah Winfrey talks with the exonerated men once known as the Central Park Five, plus the cast and producers who tell their story in "When They See Us."

Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now

2019

No artwork available
1.0

The interviews show these extraordinary women sharing their diverse journeys, personal stories, and perspectives, and the effect is both inspiring and empowering. The Female Lead is an initiative founded by data pioneer and entrepreneur Edwina Dunn to make women’s stories more visible, offering alternative role models with the goal of fostering ambition and self-belief in young women.

The Female Lead - A Selection of Portraits

2017

13th: A Conversation with Oprah Winfrey & Ava DuVernay poster
6.3

In this 30-minute interview, Oprah Winfrey sits down with director Ava DuVernay to discuss her Oscar-nominated film, historical cycles of oppression and the broken prison system.

13th: A Conversation with Oprah Winfrey & Ava DuVernay

2017

Series credits

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon poster
5.8

After Jay Leno's second retirement from the program, Jimmy Fallon stepped in as his permanent replacement. After 42 years in Los Angeles the program was brought back to New York.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert poster
6.1

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015

The Daily Show poster
6.4

The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.

The Daily Show

1996

The Kelly Clarkson Show poster
6.2

Kelly Clarkson presents the biggest newsmakers and names in film, television and music; as well as emerging new talent and everyday people who are beacons of hope in their communities.

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019

The View poster
4.3

ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, currently featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro discussing the most exciting events of the day. Hot topics in the news, the best experts in their field, celebrity interviews and general entertainment are all part of The View.

The View

1997

Jimmy Kimmel Live! poster
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003

CBS News Sunday Morning poster
6.8

The sparkling notes of a trumpet fanfare and the familiar logo of the sun alert viewers that it's time for CBS's Sunday morning staple. Journalist Jane Pauley helms the show, taking over hosting duties from Charles Osgood, who spent 22 years on the job. A morning talk show, this program airs at a different pace and focuses much of its attention on the performing arts. After a quick update of the day's news and national weather, correspondents offer longer-length segments on a variety of topics, from architecture to ballet to music to pop culture to politics.

CBS News Sunday Morning

1979

The Tamron Hall Show poster
4.7

Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she interviews in thorough meaningful and entertaining conversations.

The Tamron Hall Show

2019

Chelsea poster
5.1

It's not her first talk show, but it is a first of its kind. Ideas, people and places that fascinate her, all in her unique style.

Chelsea

2016

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter poster
6.2

Some of this year's most talked about talent open up about the challenges and triumphs of creating critically acclaimed series and performances.

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

2015

Finding Your Roots poster
6.5

Noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has been helping people discover long-lost relatives hidden for generations within the branches of their family trees. Professor Gates utilizes a team of genealogists to reconstruct the paper trail left behind by our ancestors and the world’s leading geneticists to decode our DNA and help us travel thousands of years into the past to discover the origins of our earliest forebears.

Finding Your Roots

2012

Desus & Mero poster
5.1

The first ever weekly late-night talk show on Showtime features popular TV and podcast personalities Desus and Mero speaking off the cuff and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more.

Desus & Mero

2019

A Black Lady Sketch Show poster
7.0

A narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic, hilarious characters and celebrity guests presenting sketches performed by a core cast of black women.

A Black Lady Sketch Show

2019

Trailblazer Honors poster
7.5

One-hour annual event that celebrates leaders at the forefront of LGBTQ equality.

Trailblazer Honors

2014

Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter poster
2.9

THR’s famed Roundtables are reimagined for broadcast and offer a fresh perspective on a classic, showcasing the collective brilliance of the entertainment industry's finest and funniest minds as never before.

Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter

2023

Hollywood Black poster
3.0

The epic story of the actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera and on the screen. From blackface to Black Panther, this series is a definitive chronicle of more than a century of the black experience in Hollywood and a powerful reexamination of a quintessentially American story – in brilliant color.

Hollywood Black

2024

#blackAF poster
6.0

A father takes an irreverent and honest approach to parenting and relationships.

#blackAF

2020

Directors on Directors poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Directors on Directors

2021

Dear... poster
5.0

An inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.

Dear...

2020

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television poster
2.1

Journey through the history of black representation on television, showcasing how black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

2025

Shine On with Reese poster
7.8

Join Reese Witherspoon for some real talk and laughs with female trailblazers.

Shine On with Reese

2018

One Perfect Shot poster
4.7

This docuseries celebrates some of the most iconic moments in filmmaking with each episode featuring one acclaimed director pulling back the curtain on their most iconic shots. Inspired by the popular Twitter account of the same name.

One Perfect Shot

2022

Behind the camera

A Wrinkle in Time poster
5.0

After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.

A Wrinkle in Time

2018

Origin poster
6.2

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.

Origin

2023

Origin poster
6.2

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.

Origin

2023

Origin poster
6.2

While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.

Origin

2023

Selma poster
7.4

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

Selma

2014

Selma poster
7.4

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

Selma

2014

The White Tiger poster
7.0

An ambitious Indian driver uses his wit and cunning to escape from poverty and rise to the top. An epic journey based on the New York Times bestseller.

The White Tiger

2021

14th poster
NR

Revolves around the equal protection and citizenship-focused 14th amendment, which was ratified in 1868 in the turbulent era of Reconstruction and has been a contentious part of the American body politic ever since.

14th

2026

14th poster
NR

Revolves around the equal protection and citizenship-focused 14th amendment, which was ratified in 1868 in the turbulent era of Reconstruction and has been a contentious part of the American body politic ever since.

14th

2026

14th poster
NR

Revolves around the equal protection and citizenship-focused 14th amendment, which was ratified in 1868 in the turbulent era of Reconstruction and has been a contentious part of the American body politic ever since.

14th

2026

Family Feud poster
2.5

Jay-Z aims to unite the new and older generations of rap fans, while also reflecting on his own infidelity.

Family Feud

2018

Family Feud poster
2.5

Jay-Z aims to unite the new and older generations of rap fans, while also reflecting on his own infidelity.

Family Feud

2018

Family Feud poster
2.5

Jay-Z aims to unite the new and older generations of rap fans, while also reflecting on his own infidelity.

Family Feud

2018

13th poster
7.8

An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

13th

2016

13th poster
7.8

An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

13th

2016

13th poster
7.8

An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

13th

2016

Middle of Nowhere poster
6.1

When her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison, Ruby drops out of medical school in order to focus on her husband's well-being while he's incarcerated - leading her on a journey of self-discovery in the process.

Middle of Nowhere

2012

Middle of Nowhere poster
6.1

When her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison, Ruby drops out of medical school in order to focus on her husband's well-being while he's incarcerated - leading her on a journey of self-discovery in the process.

Middle of Nowhere

2012

Middle of Nowhere poster
6.1

When her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison, Ruby drops out of medical school in order to focus on her husband's well-being while he's incarcerated - leading her on a journey of self-discovery in the process.

Middle of Nowhere

2012

No artwork available
4.0

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.

The Door

2013

No artwork available
4.0

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.

The Door

2013

No artwork available
4.0

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.

The Door

2013

This Is the Life poster
5.8

In 1989, a collective of young hip hop artists gathered at a health food café in South Central Los Angeles. Their mandate? To reject gang culture and expand the musical boundaries of hip hop. DuVernay's documentary chronicles the historic legacy of the Good Life Cafe — the open mic nights that became an L.A. institution, the eclectic array of talented young MCs that emerged there, the alternative hip hop movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the artform.

This Is the Life

2008

This Is the Life poster
5.8

In 1989, a collective of young hip hop artists gathered at a health food café in South Central Los Angeles. Their mandate? To reject gang culture and expand the musical boundaries of hip hop. DuVernay's documentary chronicles the historic legacy of the Good Life Cafe — the open mic nights that became an L.A. institution, the eclectic array of talented young MCs that emerged there, the alternative hip hop movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the artform.

This Is the Life

2008

No artwork available
NR

Set against the backdrop of contemporary London, described as a “thriller that intertwines art, love and restitution.”

Heist of Benin

—

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People poster
1.0

Documentary film on events that happened on August 28th in African-American history, shown at the Smithsonian African-American History Museum.

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People

2017

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People poster
1.0

Documentary film on events that happened on August 28th in African-American history, shown at the Smithsonian African-American History Museum.

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People

2017

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People poster
1.0

Documentary film on events that happened on August 28th in African-American history, shown at the Smithsonian African-American History Museum.

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People

2017

No artwork available
4.5

This short film by Ava DuVernay celebrates a love of African-American culture, camaraderie, love and romance.

Say Yes

2013

No artwork available
4.5

This short film by Ava DuVernay celebrates a love of African-American culture, camaraderie, love and romance.

Say Yes

2013

My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip Hop poster
3.5

Ava DuVernay focuses on the history of female MCs in the hip hop industry in this short documentary that features Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Eve, Jean Grae, Roxanne Shante, Trina, The Lady of Rage, and many more.

My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip Hop

2010

I Will Follow poster
4.8

Chronicles a day in the life of a grieving woman, and the twelve visitors who help her move forward.

I Will Follow

2010

I Will Follow poster
4.8

Chronicles a day in the life of a grieving woman, and the twelve visitors who help her move forward.

I Will Follow

2010

I Will Follow poster
4.8

Chronicles a day in the life of a grieving woman, and the twelve visitors who help her move forward.

I Will Follow

2010

Venus VS. poster
4.0

We know about the swing. We know about the swagger. But what most Americans don't know about Venus Williams is how she changed the course of her sport. In a stunning case that captured the European public beginning in 2005, Williams challenged the long-held practice of paying women tennis players less than their male counterparts at Wimbledon. With a deep sense of obligation to the legacy of Billie Jean King, Williams lobbied British Parliament, UNESCO and Fleet Street for financial parity. And it was her poignant op-ed piece in The London Times that convinced many people that the Wimbledon tournament organizers were "on the wrong side of history." Roland Garros and Wimbledon finally relented in 2007. That year at Wimbledon, Venus became the first women's champion to earn as much as the men's singles winner (Roger Federer). VENUS VS. chronicles Williams' fight for pay equality.

Venus VS.

2013

No artwork available
1.0

'Compton in C Minor' is a meditation on the gang capital of the world from a hometown girl's point of view. Frustrated by negative portrayals of the inner-city, director Ava DuVernay challenged herself to capture Compton in only two hours and present whatever she found. The results touch on everything from unemployment to entrepreneurship, from graffiti to pride of ownership. The short documentary ends with an inspiring spectacle that will cause you to rethink your stereotypes of this community.

Compton in C Minor

2009

Saturday Night Life poster
1.0

Writer-director Ava DuVernay's short drama concerns a poor, struggling single mother whose trip with her three children to a 99-cent store in Los Angeles becomes an unexpectedly uplifting family experience. Melissa DeSousa ("The Best Man") stars.

Saturday Night Life

2006

Saturday Night Life poster
1.0

Writer-director Ava DuVernay's short drama concerns a poor, struggling single mother whose trip with her three children to a 99-cent store in Los Angeles becomes an unexpectedly uplifting family experience. Melissa DeSousa ("The Best Man") stars.

Saturday Night Life

2006