Ava DuVernay has avoided directing films her entire life.
Ava Marie DuVernay ( [ ˈeɪvə_ˌdjuːvərˈneɪ ] born August 24 , 1972 ) is an American director , screenwriter , film marketer , and film distributor . With Selma , she was also the first black female director to have her film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture , though she was not nominated for Best Director .