# ARRAY: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-06-21
- Length: 1h 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay

## Summary

Filmmaker and entrepreneur Ava DuVernay explains how she transitioned from a successful Hollywood publicist to a director and founder of ARRAY, a production and distribution company. She details the self-financing of her early films like 'I Will Follow' and 'Middle of Nowhere', the pivotal role of actor David Oyelowo in securing investment and casting, and the strategic rewriting of 'Selma' to fit a $20 million budget. DuVernay also discusses building ARRAY into a nonprofit and physical campus to support diversity in the film industry and her philosophy on maintaining creative control.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=0) Introduction: Ava DuVernay and the Roots of ARRAY
- [3:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=239) Childhood Influences and Early Career in Publicity
- [21:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=1278) Starting a Publicity Agency and Learning the Business
- [33:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=2006) Transition to Filmmaking and Self-Financing Early Projects
- [55:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=3338) The David Oyelowo Connection and Funding 'Middle of Nowhere'
- [1:00:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=3633) Sundance Success and the Making of 'Selma'
- [1:21:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-21-array-filmmaker-ava-duvernay#t=4888) Building ARRAY as a Movement and Physical Campus

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ARRAY (company)
- Selma (product)
- 13th (product)
- When They See Us (product)
- A Wrinkle in Time (product)
- Middle of Nowhere (product)
- I Will Follow (product)
- David Oyelowo (other)
- Lee Daniels (other)
- Steven Spielberg (other)
- Netflix (company)
- Palm Springs Short Film Festival (other)
- Prada (company)
- U2 (other)

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- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Victor Guardiola, Bawi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-01-founder-fundraising-journey-victor-guardiola-bawi) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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## Citing this page

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