Ava DuVernay speaks at SXSW: 'Studios aren't lining up to make films about black protagonists'

Ava DuVernay delivered a keynote speech at SXSW on Saturday, and afterward, she answered questions about her work directing the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic Selma. One question: Why did it take so many decades for Hollywood to tell King's story?

"The studios aren't lining up to make films about black protagonists, black people being autonomous and independent," DuVernay answered, as reported by Variety.

In a lighter moment, the director described her experience screening the film for President and Mrs. Obama at the White House, then staying for dinner.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"I think it might have been because I was rolling with Oprah," DuVernay said of the dining invitation.

Read more from DuVernay's keynote, via Variety.