Ava DuVernay Named Guest Artistic Director of AFI Fest 2022

AFI Fest has found its next guest artistic director. The prestigious role, which has already been filled by David Lynch and Pedro Almodóvar, will go to "Selma" director Ava DuVernay for the 2022 iteration of the festival.

The festival announced that DuVernay had selected three independent films by female directors to feature: Kat Candler's "Hellion" from 2014, Aurora Guerrero's "Mosquita y Mari" from 2012, and Victoria Mahoney's "Yelling to the Sky" from 2011. All three women went on to direct episodes of DuVernay's OWN series "Queen Sugar." DuVernay will also host a panel with the three directors at the festival.

AFI Fest 2022 will take place in Los Angeles from November 2-6. Apple documentary 'Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me' is set to open the Hollywood festival, with films such as 'Bardo', 'Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro, 'Is That Black Enough For You?', 'Living ", "She Said" and "The Son" have also been announced so far. "Les Fabelmans" will close the festival.

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"AFI Fest holds a special place in my heart and in my career. My first feature film 'I Will Follow' premiered in Los Angeles at AFI FEST 2010," DuVernay said in a statement announcing the news. “I still remember the feeling of validation and encouragement. It meant so much to me as a fledgling director to be seen and embraced. So it's a real honor to be asked to serve as guest art director. In this post, I have chosen to shine a light on the role of female directors in independent cinema by sharing the work of three remarkable female directors: Kat Candler, Aurora Guerrero and Victoria Mahoney."

She continued, "This trio of filmmakers cut their teeth in independent filmmaking and embarked on direct dynamic work in all formats following their television debut in my series 'Queen Sugar.' With this lineup I want to wave a flag for what can happen when women have the opportunity and support to match our male counterparts. Beautiful things bloom. My thanks to AFI Fest for embracing and amplifying this concept."

DuVernay's last feature as a director was the 2018 Disney remake "A Wrinkle in Time." In 2022, she directed episodes of the TV series "Queen Sugar", "DMZ" and "One Perfect Shot".

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