Selma Director Ava Duvernay Makes History Again ,Becoming The First African American Women To Direct a $100 Million Film

Selma Director Ava Duvernay Makes History Again ,Becoming
 The First African American Women To Direct a $100 Million Film

BHR Hollywood Reports.......Yesterday a list of CA tax credits was announced. On that list was Disney’s Ava Duvernay-helmed film “A Wrinkle in Time.”

 Why that is of note is that this marks the first time CA tax incentives have been given to films with budgets over $75 million.

Ava Duvernay 

That got me thinking about women directors and budgets. Deadline writes that the budget for “A Wrinkle in Time” will be over $100 million, and I’ve confirmed that information.

The news went public when her project was included on a list of films with budgets of over $75 million, receiving California tax incentives.

Not only is the Selma director the very first woman of color to spearhead such a film, she's only the third woman overall to do so.
Ever grateful, Ava took to Twitter to express her gratitude after hearing the news and also recognized those who paved the way for this to be possible for her.

Not the first capable of doing so. Not by a long shot. Thanks to @DisneyStudios for breaking this glass with me. https://t.co/iXJ9pgV7eP

— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) August 3, 2016

A shame. Hollywood and audiences have missed some wonderful voices. High hopes for change. https://t.co/5TrQRV0pO9

— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) August 3, 2016

DuVernay has worked her way up from directing extremely low-budget films to a studio tentpole. Her feature debut, 2011’s “I Will Follow,” was made for $50,000 and her 2012 follow-up, “Middle Of Nowhere,” had a budget of $200,000.

Selma Director Ava Duvernay

Oscar-nominated biopic “Selma” was a big step up budget-wise: the 2014 film’s budget was $20 million. And now DuVernay has crossed the $100 million mark — and only five years following the release of her first indie feature.

She’s done that on authenticity and talent. This is a normal path for male directors, but one rarely accessible to women.

Duvernay’s new TV series, “Queen Sugar,” will debut on OWN on September 6. Every episode of the first season is directed by a woman. The drama has already been renewed for a second season.