ELEVATING BIPOC FILMMAKERS: A CONVERSATION WITH ARRAY AFI Summit

When Ava DuVernay founded the collective that would become ARRAY in 2011, she and company president Tilane Jones set out to boldly, proudly and courageously set their endeavor apart from other distributors. Their commitment to amplify and advocate for independent films by Black artists, filmmakers of color and women directors of all kinds was the center of their mission — and still is. As the company approaches its 10th anniversary, DuVernay and Jones invite a group of ARRAY supported filmmakers to discuss the strong vision that has guided this Black women-led organization to shift the paradigm around media production and distribution. Moderated by Felice León, Host & Video Producer, The Root. Panelists include: Ava DuVernay, Founder, ARRAY; Tilane Jones, President, ARRAY; Blitz Bazawule (Director/writer, THE BURIAL OF KOJO); Merawi Gerima (Director/writer, RESIDUE); Deepa Mehta (Director/co-writer, FUNNY BOY) and Isabel Sandoval (Director, writer, LINGUA FRANCA).