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IMDbPro

Ava DuVernay

  • Producer
  • Writer
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Ava DuVernay at an event for 30th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards (2015)
From 'I Will Follow' to 'Selma,' and the award-winning "When They See Us," IMDb dives into the trademarks of writer, producer and director, Ava DuVernay.
Play clip1:35
A Guide to the Films of Ava DuVernay
12 Videos
99+ Photos
A director, producer, writer, marketer and film distributor, Ava DuVernay made her feature film debut with the documentary This is the Life (2008), a history on hip hop movement that flourished in Los Angeles in the 1990's. This was followed by series of television music documentaries which included My Mic Sounds Nice (2010) which aired on BET.

DuVernay's first narrative feature film, I Will Follow (2010), secured her the African-American Film Critics Association award for best screenplay. Her follow-up, Middle of Nowhere (2012) won the Best Director Prize at the 2012 Sundance film festival, making her the first African-American woman to receive the award.
BornAugust 24, 1972
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornAugust 24, 1972
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 1 Oscar

Photos128

Ava DuVernay in Dear... (2020)
Ava DuVernay in Prophet of Palestine
Ava DuVernay in Life Itself (2014)
Ava DuVernay, The Kid Mero, and Desus Nice in Hold That (2019)
Ava DuVernay and Storm Reid in The Talk (2010)
Newt Gingrich and Ava DuVernay in 13th (2016)
Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, and Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
Ava DuVernay in Middle of Nowhere (2012)
Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)

Known for

Queen Sugar (2016)
Queen Sugar
7.8
TV Series
  • Producer
David Oyelowo in Selma (2014)
Selma
7.5
  • Producer
  • 2014
Asante Blackk, Marquis Rodriguez, Caleel Harris, and Ethan Herisse in When They See Us (2019)
When They See Us
8.9
TV Mini Series
  • Producer(showrunner)
Middle of Nowhere (2012)
Middle of Nowhere
6.6
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 2012

Credits

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IMDbPro

Producer

  • Caste
    • In Production
  • Wings of Fire
    • In Production
  • Battle of Versailles
    • In Development
  • Queen Sugar (2016)
    Queen Sugar
  • Xosha Roquemore and Alano Miller in Cherish the Day (2020)
    Cherish the Day
  • Kaci Walfall in Naomi (2022)
    Naomi
  • One Perfect Shot (2022)
    One Perfect Shot
  • Benjamin Bratt, Rosario Dawson, Hoon Lee, and Freddy Miyares in DMZ (2022)
    DMZ
  • Jaden Michael and Colin Kaepernick in Colin in Black & White (2021)
    Colin in Black & White
  • Home Sweet Home (2021)
    Home Sweet Home
  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sourav Kumar in The White Tiger (2021)
    The White Tiger
  • A Concerto Is a Conversation (2020)
    A Concerto Is a Conversation
  • The Golden Girls: Reimagined
  • Deann Borshay, Angela Davis, Peter Dinklage, Dr. Riyadh, Bonita Dearmond, and Mohamed Bangura in P.O.V. (1988)
    P.O.V.
  • Asante Blackk, Marquis Rodriguez, Caleel Harris, and Ethan Herisse in When They See Us (2019)
    When They See Us
    • (showrunner)
  • Noel Fisher in The Red Line (2019)
    The Red Line
  • Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé: Family Feud (2017)
    Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé: Family Feud
  • Black America Again

Writer

  • Caste
    • In Production
  • Battle of Versailles
    • In Development
  • Queen Sugar (2016)
    Queen Sugar
    • (creator) ...
  • Xosha Roquemore and Alano Miller in Cherish the Day (2020)
    Cherish the Day
    • (creator)
  • Kaci Walfall in Naomi (2022)
    Naomi
  • One Perfect Shot (2022)
    One Perfect Shot
  • Jaden Michael and Colin Kaepernick in Colin in Black & White (2021)
    Colin in Black & White
    • (creator)
  • Home Sweet Home (2021)
    Home Sweet Home
    • (creator)
  • Asante Blackk, Marquis Rodriguez, Caleel Harris, and Ethan Herisse in When They See Us (2019)
    When They See Us
    • ...
  • Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé: Family Feud (2017)
    Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé: Family Feud
  • 13th (2016)
    13th
  • August 28th (2016)
    August 28th
  • Ava DuVernay in The Door (2013)
    The Door
  • Middle of Nowhere (2012)
    Middle of Nowhere
  • Grace (2011)
    Grace
  • Essence Presents: Faith in 2010
  • I Will Follow (2010)
    I Will Follow

Additional Crew

  • Roger Ebert in Life Itself (2014)
    Life Itself
  • Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
    The Help
    • (uncredited)
  • Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in Cop Out (2010)
    Cop Out
  • Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Invictus (2009)
    Invictus
    • (uncredited)
  • Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
    Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
  • Chris Rock in Good Hair (2009)
    Good Hair
  • Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, John DiMaggio, Tom McGrath, Andy Richter, Christopher Knights, and Chris Miller in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
    Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
  • The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
    The Secret Life of Bees
    • (uncredited)
  • Michael O'Keefe, Will Patton, Alfre Woodard, and Nicole Beharie in American Violet (2008)
    American Violet
  • A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy (2008)
    A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy
  • Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 3 (2007)
    Rush Hour 3
  • Antonio Banderas, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Conrad Vernon in Shrek the Third (2007)
    Shrek the Third
  • Lincoln Heights (2006)
    Lincoln Heights
  • How She Move (2007)
    How She Move
  • Beyoncé, Anika Noni Rose, and Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls (2006)
    Dreamgirls
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos12

A Guide to the Films of Ava DuVernay
Clip 1:35
A Guide to the Films of Ava DuVernay
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:44
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:52
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:51
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:22
Official Trailer
DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE: Ava DuVernay Rates the Movies
Video 3:05
DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE: Ava DuVernay Rates the Movies
'A Wrinkle in Time' Cast on Roles That Inspire
Video 1:53
'A Wrinkle in Time' Cast on Roles That Inspire
'Wrinkle in Time' Stars Reveal Their Personal Movie and TV Heroes
Video 1:18
'Wrinkle in Time' Stars Reveal Their Personal Movie and TV Heroes
Storm Reid Left a Big Impression on Oprah Winfrey, 'Wrinkle in Time' Cast
Video 1:21
Storm Reid Left a Big Impression on Oprah Winfrey, 'Wrinkle in Time' Cast
Meg Murry Is a Hero for a New Generation in 'A Wrinkle in Time'
Video 2:03
Meg Murry Is a Hero for a New Generation in 'A Wrinkle in Time'
Meet 'A Wrinkle in Time' Star Storm Reid
Video 1:17
Meet 'A Wrinkle in Time' Star Storm Reid
Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, and Cast Lean Into 'A Wrinkle in Time'
Video 1:49
Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, and Cast Lean Into 'A Wrinkle in Time'

Personal details

Edit
    • Official Site
    • August 24, 1972
    • Long Beach, California, USA
  • Other works
    Urban Beauty Collective
  • Publicity listings
    • 7 Interviews
    • 19 Articles
    • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    In June 2013, she was invited to join both the director's and writer's branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is only the second black woman, following Kasi Lemmons, to be invited to the director's branch.
  • Quotes
    Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.

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