Director Ava DuVernay will be the guest art director for AFI Fest 2022, the American Film Institute said Friday.
DuVernay is the latest director to fill the role, previously filled by other illustrious filmmakers, including Pedro Almodóvar, Bernardo Bertolucci, Agnès Varda, and David Lynch, an AFI Conservatory alumnus.
“AFI Fest holds a special place in my heart and in my career. My feature directorial debut ‘I Will Follow’ premiered in Los Angeles at AFI Fest 2010,” DuVernay said in a statement. “ME
I still remember the feeling of validation and encouragement. It meant as much to me as
a female director for the first time to be seen and embraced. Therefore, it is a real honor to be invited.
to serve as Guest Artistic Director. In this post, I have chosen to highlight the role of
independent film directors sharing the work of three notables
Directors: Kat Candler, Aurora Guerrero and Victoria Mahoney.
“This trio of filmmakers started out in independent film and have moved on to direct dynamic work in all formats.
after her television debut on my series ‘Queen Sugar,’” added DuVernay. “With this programming, I want to wave a flag of what can happen when women have the opportunity and the support.
that’s consistent with our male counterparts. Beautiful things bloom. My thanks to AFI
Fest for agreeing and expanding on that notion.”
“The world is looking for visionary artists to create a brighter future, and Ava DuVernay is
leading the way,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “We are honored to shine
proper light on their selections: films that will inspire audiences and artists alike.”
DuVernay’s three films of choice are Hellion (2014), directed by Candler and starring Juliette Lewis and Aaron Paul; “Mosquita Y Mari” (2012), directed by Guerrero; and “Screaming at the sky” (2011), directed by Mahoney and starring Gabourey Sidibe and Zoë Kravitz. DuVernay will also moderate a panel with the three directors.
The 36th edition of AFI Fest will take place in Los Angeles from November 2-6. Tickets will be available in October at your official website.
