Ava DuVernay told Elle magazine she chose all female directors for “Queen Sugar” because she could. (promo)
Director Ava DuVernay’s Array distribution group is hosting a 12-hour Rebel-A-Thon on Twitter March 1 to celebrate unsung female filmmakers in time for Women’s History Month.
The event, a series of question-and-answer sessions with various women filmmakers, will last until 11 p.m. EST. It will not only celebrate women’s accomplishments, it will seek to increase membership for the film resource collective. Included in the lineup is Amma Asante, director of “A United Kingdom,” starring David Oyelowo, “Queen of Katwe” director Mira Nair and DeMane Davis, director and writer of the 2001 Kerry Washington-starring movie “Lift.”
“We offer this year’s Rebel-a-Thon as an opportunity to highlight the important contributions made by women filmmakers,” Array executive director Tilane Jones said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “On March 1, we will stand together for inclusiveness in the industry.”
Twitter is buzzing with questions for the filmmakers, with users tweeting using #ArrayToday to have their inquiries answered.
@MyMamaKnows @ARRAYNow #ArrayToday What advice would you give a company wanting to make their mark as a fully diverse entertainment company?
— Mindshadowonline (@MindshadowTeam) March 1, 2017
Thank you 😘We are at 60% women in charge in Exec Positions and women of color make up the majority so far!
— Mindshadowonline (@MindshadowTeam) March 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/ifursure/status/836997541195563009
@ifursure #ArrayToday i try to discipline myself. I’ve learned i write best in the afternoon and eve. I try to work when most productive.
— Amma Asante (@AmmaAsante) March 1, 2017
trust in your own experiences to bring authenticity. We e seen it all but personal experience and insight with a twist is key
— Christine Swanson (@cswanson44) March 1, 2017
To boost membership, Array is offering prizes to Twitter users engaged in the takeover.
Live from ARRAYHQ! New perk for Rebel members who join https://t.co/MZAggk0Is3 during Rebel-A-Thon! #ArrayToday pic.twitter.com/lNymmTgLp0
— ARRAYNow (@ARRAYNow) March 1, 2017
The event comes nearly one month after DuVernay tweeted that she’d hired all female directors for the second season of her hit OWN series, “Queen Sugar.” The show famously used only female directors for every episode of the first season, the first two being helmed by DuVernay herself.
We proceed. I've invited a whole new squad of dynamic women directors to helm @QueenSugarOWN Season 2. They weren't hard to find. Go figure. https://t.co/ub5GCCleJO
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 3, 2017
