‘Selma’ Director Ava DuVernay Says: “The studios aren’t lining up to make films about black protagonists”

Acclaimed Selma director Ava DuVernay recently gave a speech at the SXSW Film Festival and talked about the Martin Luther King Jr film that was nominated at the recent Academy Awards for Best Picture.

Variety reported that DuVernay had an epiphany while attending this year's Oscars ceremony, where Selma received two nominations including best picture, but was snubbed in categories like acting and directing.

"It was a room in L.A.," DuVernay said in her keynote speech at SXSW on Saturday morning. "It's not anything but a big room with very nice people dressed up. It's very cool. But my work's worth is not about what happens in, around or for that room."

DuVernay delivered a passionate, at times emotional, speech in Austin about her journey making Selma, revealing she was Paramount's seventh choice to direct the drama about the 1965 civil rights marches.

A member of the audience asked DuVernay why it took so long for Hollywood to tell King's story.

"The studios aren't lining up to make films about black protagonists," DuVernay said. "Black people being autonomous and independent." But she later stressed that it was important for diverse filmmakers to find ways to get their stories told.

"I've had the f-ing most awesome year," DuVernay said. "I can't even describe it."

One of DuVernay's memories included screening her film at the White House 100 years after The Birth of a Nation played there, and then being asked to stay for dinner with the Obamas.

DuVernay said that the script to Selma was a challenge, because producers told her they couldn't afford the rights to Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches. "What do you mean?" she asked them. "He's Dr. King. He's about the speeches."

But as she was working on the screenplay, she made sure to add women characters to the story.

With Selma, DuVernay focused all her energy on servicing the story. "If your dream is only about you, it's too small," she said.