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

Ava DuVernay
(Image credit: David A. Smith/Getty Images)

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.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.