Ava DuVernay’s decade retrospective shows just how much you can grow in 10 years

Hard work, an unflinching vision, a resolute belief in oneself (and a little luck) can catapult a career. Take the trajectory of Ava, whose journey in the filmmaking industry can serve as inspiration for the decade to come. https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211755643440263169?s=21

With momentum from BET, got a job from @Essence to direct the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FEST. Had no clue what I was doing, but did it. 16 cameras in the Superdome. Still one of my faves.

That year, I also made a short doc about Katrina survivors for @tvonetv. pic.twitter.com/Uw8ncPcN8O

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211764812125884416?s=21 https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211770457927516160?s=21

If there was a moment that changed things, it was getting into + winning at @sundancefest.

I wish it didn’t take this to give myself – and everyone else – confidence in me. But it did.

The next day, I left my job to try to be a full-time filmmaker. 2012. pic.twitter.com/oMPynHIaUs

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE was distributed by hand via a community model I founded called AFFRM.

We launched with three nights of dinners at Sundance to discuss the state of black film. Remember that @BarryJenkins?

AFFRM was the seed for what is now @ARRAY. Now, 9 years strong. pic.twitter.com/u3ucFfeGro

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211783177112416256?s=21

The second was given to me by the legend @shondarhimes and the talented director @tomverica. I got to direct an episode of my very favorite show at the time: SCANDAL. @kerrywashington @tonygoldwyn + the cast were kind. The experience made me want to give it to others. pic.twitter.com/fVJ8CnYK2c

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

The third post-Sundance gig came from the good folks at @ESPN Films. A documentary for their women-centric spin-off of @30for30.

I pitched them a story most didn’t know involving the great Venus Williams.

VENUS VS was born. I love this film. 2013. pic.twitter.com/LK8pgptTX1

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

The next film came because my friend David Oyelowo wanted to play Dr. King.

He convinced the producers to try me after many directors had left the project. I wrote a script for the budget they had, which got it greenlit. And we began.

SELMA. 2014. ✊????pic.twitter.com/qyDQiEpzHc

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211792239048847360?s=21

Then, I got to give the experience I had directing SCANDAL to other women who the industry was not calling. @Oprah encouraged me to create my own show. Warner Bros supported me producing it the way I wanted.

QUEEN SUGAR.
2016.
Still going strong. pic.twitter.com/xw4wBqEbDc

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019

While making QUEEN SUGAR, I was also making a secret documentary with @Netflix.

It was never announced. No one knew it existed until Kent Jones selected it as the @NYFF Opening Night film. First doc to ever open the fest.

13TH
2016 pic.twitter.com/9J7GPQkWNz

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211805315357798402?s=21 https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211808410108227584?s=21 https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211812128279027713?s=21 https://twitter.com/ava/status/1211816189862633472?s=21

So many beautiful professional moments over the past decade.

A Barbie doll.

Being a part of the Cannes jury.

The cover of Time.

And the most beautiful of all, buying our @ARRAYNow campus and building the @AmandaCinema. pic.twitter.com/KqzkzAwjeu

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Thanks to anyone who rooted for me this decade. Who encouraged me. Who worked by my side as crew, exec or cast. Who came to see one of my films or watched an episode. Who shared a kind word in public or smiled at me from afar. Who prayed for me. I’m eternally and deeply grateful. pic.twitter.com/9jFPZ9zT4d

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019

Thank you so much Ava DuVernay

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