Angela Davis once said that “walls turned sideways are bridges,” and that’s something Ava DuVernay definitely believes. Not only did she say it while introducing Origin here at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie reflects it.

An incredibly strong Venice led to full days at TIFF, wherein ticket buyers could catch up on acclaimed films that had just premiered in the beautiful Italian city. I had a full day of Venice catch-up, and it only solidified how strong the film lover’s event was this year. It included these three excellent dramas.

Every awards season, pundits leave themselves open to late-year breakers.

There are so many films I want to see at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year that it is difficult to choose.

Dalit scholar Suraj Yengde, author of Caste Matters and The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections, attended the premiere of Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay, at the Venice Film Festival.

When I meet Ava DuVernay, inside the bowels of the Hotel Excelsior on the Venice Lido, I’m immediately struck by her poise and sense of purpose. Read More

Filmmaker behind Selma and The 13th became the first African American woman with a film in competition in Venice for her new drama Origin Read More

DuVernay is the first African American woman in the festival’s 80-year existence to have a film compete for the Golden Lion. Read More

DuVernay’s powerful biographical drama is the first movie by a Black U.S. female director to be included in the official competition at the world’s oldest film festival. Read More

Ava DuVernay made history Wednesday as the first African American woman to direct a feature in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Read More

Ava DuVernay touched down at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday evening with her new film Origin, which world premiered in Competition and received a more than eight-minute ovation in its debut screening. Read More

This morning, I contributed to the audible sniffles and sobs at the screening of Origin, the 5th narrative feature by Ava DuVernay.