
Source: Getty / Getty
1. This is Ava’s past decade. Get ready to take notes!
Source:TwitterThanks 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
2. [Start Where You Are] People are watching and your time will come.
Source:TwitterWith 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.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
That year, I also made a short doc about Katrina survivors for @tvonetv. pic.twitter.com/Uw8ncPcN8O
3. [Always Bet On Yourself] Don’t be afraid to charter unfamiliar territories.
Source:TwitterAll along, I was taking a script I’d written to studios with the help of Gina + Reggie Bythewood. No one bit.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
Started studying indie scripts. Wrote I WILL FOLLOW, used my savings, bartered equipment, distributed within my community, Ebert championed it. pic.twitter.com/xeBkvrM4Zh
4. [Invest in Yourself] While you’re waiting for a seat at the table, build your own seat AND table.
Source:TwitterUsed the small profits from I WILL FOLLOW to make the script that the studios had denied: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
Partnered with my neighbor Howard and made it in 19 days in South Central LA. I remember every day with David, Emayatzy, Omari and the crew. I treasure them. 2011. pic.twitter.com/8C07mnbVeB
5. [Keep Creating] Don’t let rejection stop you.
Source:TwitterIf there was a moment that changed things, it was getting into + winning at @sundancefest.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
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
6. [Know When to Let Go] Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to move on.
Source:TwitterMIDDLE OF NOWHERE was distributed by hand via a community model I founded called AFFRM.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
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
7. [Create Opportunities] Look for opportunities, yes, but also create them!
Source:TwitterAfter winning Best Director at Sundance, my phone rang 3 times.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
No movies. But three opportunities that were a big deal for me. And for which I am immensely grateful.
The first was @Prada. They offered me the chance to make a fashion film. I called friends. We made THE DOOR. pic.twitter.com/9oUZHlCLlb
8. [Just Say Yes] Say yes to new opportunities — they are part of your development.
Source:TwitterThe 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
9. [Be Flexible] Be flexible to try new things in your career — especially if Shonda Rhimes is asking.
Source:TwitterThe third post-Sundance gig came from the good folks at @ESPN Films. A documentary for their women-centric spin-off of @30for30.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
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
10. [Build, Then Pitch] Build your brand first, and then pitch your ideas.
Source:TwitterThe next film came because my friend David Oyelowo wanted to play Dr. King.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
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
11. [Assess Friend Groups] Hang with more friends who inspire and go hard for you.
Source:TwitterAfter SELMA, I was trying to figure out my next move and spent some lovely time making a series of three commercials with a few superstars thanks to #JimmyIovine.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
Mary J. Blige.
Kerry Washington
Taraji Henson
For @AppleMusic
2015pic.twitter.com/tW6yl537Fr
12. [Keep Planning] Take in the moments, yes, but always think about your next move. Growth doesn’t happen without movement.
Source:TwitterThen, 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.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 30, 2019
QUEEN SUGAR.
2016.
Still going strong. pic.twitter.com/xw4wBqEbDc
13. [Reach Back] When you make it, remember to give others an opportunity to shine with you.
Source:TwitterWhile making QUEEN SUGAR, I was also making a secret documentary with @Netflix.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
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
14. [Keep Grinding] Don’t let success stop the grind. Keep building, keep creating, keep doing that thin you love.
Source:TwitterThen, Disney invited me onto A WRINKLE IN TIME. I jumped at the chance to work on a film with a black girl saving the universe.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
Based on Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 novel. Crew + cast were stellar, especially the exquisite @stormreid.
Tesser Well! ✨
2018 pic.twitter.com/5KW3bS7RLO
15. [Trust The Timing] Keep building. They’re watching. Your time will come!
Source:TwitterThe Smithsonian invited me to create a film installation for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture that would live at @NMAAHC for the next decade.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
I pitched a little known black history fact, called friends and “AUGUST 28” was born.pic.twitter.com/85lW4aY6br
16. [Keep Sowing] You will reap what you sow! You will be honored and paid back for all the work you’ve invested.
Source:TwitterI made a short film with Jay-Z for his 4:44 album called FAMILY FEUD.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
Called many pals to appear in this project, which imagines a world where the Constitution has been rewritten by women. The story spanned 400 years.
My first + only music video. 2018. pic.twitter.com/ShXP5AtWJY
17. [Take Risks] Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Source:TwitterAnd over the past four years, I worked on the story of 5 boys of color and their families. People who had been demonized and labeled criminals. People who were innocent.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
Once known as The Central Park 5. Now, The Exonerated 5.
WHEN THEY SEE US
2019 https://t.co/xStODvV6jK
18. [Stay Hungry] Don’t let success slow you down. Stay hungry, keep creating.
Source:TwitterSo many beautiful professional moments over the past decade.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 31, 2019
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
19. [Stay Humble] Remember, you are not on this journey alone. Show your tribe love.
Source:TwitterThanks 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