Video: Ava DuVernay’s Keynote Address at SXSW Live 2015

Ava DuVernay is one of the brightest, most talented filmmakers I have ever had the opportunity to interview. She is the first African-American woman nominated for Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards for Best Director for Selma, in addition to Independent Spirit and NAACP Image Award nominations. She won the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012 for her acclaimed feature Middle of Nowhere. Her previous narrative and documentary work includes I Will Follow, Venus Vs., My Mic Sounds Nice and This is The Life. Prior to her directorial career, DuVernay worked as a film marketer and publicist for more than 14 years.

It’s a rousing speech focusing on this theme: The intention of our attention.

For my June 2013 interview with Ava, go here.