Most Influential Black Film Directors

The men and women who helped place our culture onscreen.

Most Influential Black Film Directors - Each of these people have made it their duty to elevate Black culture by showing varied sides of who we are as human beings, from cult classics such as Do the Right Thing and Boyz n the Hood to recent examinations of African-American life in films like Fruitvale Station and Dear White People. Take a look at the people who've shaped the way we see ourselves and the way the world sees us!(Photo from left: Brian Killian/WireImage, Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF, Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Oscar Michaeux - Born in Great Bend, Kansas, Oscar Michaeux formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first African-American to make a film, his silent motion picture The Homesteader — which he wrote, produced and directed. (Photo: USPS)
Spike Lee: March 20 - The iconic filmmaker and Brooklyn native celebrates his 57th birthday this week. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
96115357Ava DuVernay - The Middle of Nowhere filmmaker made the difficult transition from Hollywood publicist to darling of independent cinema, refusing to give up on her dream of telling Black stories that had been routinely ignored by filmmakers. In 2013, her tenacity paid off. Ava DuVernay was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Sundance Institute, putting her squarely in the seat of power when it comes to art house films. We have no doubt she'll use her position to open doors for even more diverse filmmakers with something to say. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Oscar Michaeux - Born in Great Bend, Kansas, Oscar Michaeux formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first African-American to make a film, his silent motion picture The Homesteader — which he wrote, produced and directed. (Photo: USPS)

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