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)

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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)

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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)

Spike Lee: March 20 - The iconic filmmaker and Brooklyn native celebrates his 57th birthday this week. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Spike Lee - Always pushing the envelope and placing the Black community at the forefront of his films, Lee revolutionized African-American cinema with films like Malcolm X, Four Little Girls, When the Levees Broke, Do the Right Thing and more; proving that stories centered around Black issues deserved a spot in the greater landscape/discussion about cinema. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Barry Jenkins - Gaining notoriety for his Oscar-winning film Moonlight, Jenkins's first film, Medicine for Melancholy, was made in two weeks with $13,000. Moonlight won three Oscars, including Best Picture. The director is said to be working on a forthcoming script based on Colson Whitehead's bestselling novel The Underground Railroad.(Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images) 

Ava 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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Ava DuVernay - In an industry dominated by males, Ava DuVernay has made a name for herself. Receiving her start as a film markerter/publicist for more than 14 years, the director soon transitioned into making films, creating her first,This Is Life, in 2008. With the creation of 2014's Selma, DuVernay became the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Director category. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Tyler Perry - Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Smartest People in Hollywood back in 2007, Perry has built a lucrative film business, showing the film industry that African-American stories can fill seats at the box office by grossing over $50 million dollars with his debut film. In addition, he built Tyler Perry Studios — a  200,000 square foot space that employs thousands. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Tyler Perry - Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Smartest People in Hollywood back in 2007, Perry has built a lucrative film business, showing the film industry that African-American stories can fill seats at the box office by grossing over $50 million dollars with his debut film. In addition, he built Tyler Perry Studios — a  200,000 square foot space that employs thousands. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Steve McQueen - Earning a Best Motion Picture of the Year Award for his work for 12 Years a Slave, McQueen is credited with writing over three short films, screenplays and features. The director has an untitled Tupac documentary that has been announced, though it has no official release date.  (Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) 

John Singleton on racial diversity in Hollywood: - "They ain't letting Black people tell their stories." (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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John Singleton - The director's breakout film, Boyz n the Hood, grossed $57 million dollars while bringing a story about a predominantly African-American community to light. Later this year, he'll direct an episode of the TV series Empire.  (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

F. Gary Gray - Born in the Big Apple, F. Gary Gray directed the iconic gangster film Set It Off. He has a talent for mixing hip hop culture with beautiful images for a cohesive film. Later in the year, he's tapped to direct the forthcoming N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Overture)

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F. Gary Gray - Born in the Big Apple, F. Gary Gray directed the iconic gangster film Set It Off. He has a talent for mixing hip hop culture with beautiful images for a cohesive film. Later in the year, he's tapped to direct the forthcoming N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Overture)

Gordon Parks - Drawn to photography at an early age, Parks grew to expand his love for images by becoming a freelance photographer. In 1948, he became the first African-American staff photographer and writer for Life Magazine. In 1969, Parks became the first African-American to write and direct a Hollywood feature film. In 1971, he directed the widely famous cult classic Shaft.(Photo: Bill Foley/Landov)

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Gordon Parks - Drawn to photography at an early age, Parks grew to expand his love for images by becoming a freelance photographer. In 1948, he became the first African-American staff photographer and writer for Life Magazine. In 1969, Parks became the first African-American to write and direct a Hollywood feature film. In 1971, he directed the widely famous cult classic Shaft.(Photo: Bill Foley/Landov)

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Antoine Fuqua - Expanding how Hollywood views African-American directors, Antoine Fuqua has directed some of the best action flicks in the past 10 years, including The Equalizer, Training Day, King Arthur and Shooter. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Antoine Fuqua - Expanding how Hollywood views African-American directors, Antoine Fuqua has directed some of the best action flicks in the past 10 years, including The Equalizer, Training Day, King Arthur and Shooter. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Melvin Van Peebles - A pioneer of the blaxploitation era of African-American film, Melvin van Peebles showed empowering images of Blacks via the rising genre in the 1970s. (Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images)

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Melvin Van Peebles - A pioneer of the blaxploitation era of African-American film, Melvin van Peebles showed empowering images of Blacks via the rising genre in the 1970s. (Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Albert and Allen Hughes - Born in the Motor City, you may have seen their work but didn't know who directed the films. Their debut film, Menace II Society, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. Their third film, American Pimp, premiered at Sundance in 1999. (Photo: Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images) 

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Albert and Allen Hughes - Born in the Motor City, you may have seen their work but didn't know who directed the films. Their debut film, Menace II Society, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. Their third film, American Pimp, premiered at Sundance in 1999. (Photo: Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images) 

Justin Simien - Justin spoke and the world listened. After promoting his debut film, Dear White People, on the festival circuit and winning the Special Jury Award at the 2014 Sundance Festival, he took the film to major screens and won at the box office. In addition, Simien was named one of the "10 Directors to Watch" by Variety. We'll be watching for more groundbreaking films to come. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for YouTube)

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Justin Simien - Justin spoke and the world listened. After promoting his debut film, Dear White People, on the festival circuit and winning the Special Jury Award at the 2014 Sundance Festival, he took the film to major screens and won at the box office. In addition, Simien was named one of the "10 Directors to Watch" by Variety. We'll be watching for more groundbreaking films to come. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for YouTube)

Ryan Coogler - Before the recent events regarding Mike Brown and Eric Garner, Ryan Coogler brought the story of Oscar Grant III to life in Fruitvale Station. Graduating from the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts graduate program, he won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Festival. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Grey Goose)

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Ryan Coogler - Before the recent events regarding Mike Brown and Eric Garner, Ryan Coogler brought the story of Oscar Grant III to life in Fruitvale Station. Graduating from the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts graduate program, he won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Festival. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Grey Goose)

Amma Asante - What makes Amma extraordinary is that  she's one of the few British directors whose had the opportunity to cross over into the American market. That and she happens to be of African descendant, a woman and wickedly talented. Her debut film, A Way of Life, won numerous awards, including the Alfred Dunhill UK Film Talent Award at the 2004 London Film Festival. Most recently, Asante's film Belle made $16 million worldwide. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for PSIFF)

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Amma Asante - What makes Amma extraordinary is that  she's one of the few British directors whose had the opportunity to cross over into the American market. That and she happens to be of African descendant, a woman and wickedly talented. Her debut film, A Way of Life, won numerous awards, including the Alfred Dunhill UK Film Talent Award at the 2004 London Film Festival. Most recently, Asante's film Belle made $16 million worldwide. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for PSIFF)