Ava DuVernay to receive ICG Publicists Television Showman of the Year Award

Article By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine // Awards

Ava Duvernay who represents women of color so well on the global stage, is set to receive another well-deserved honor for her work.

The much revered writer, director and producer will be the recipient of the Television Showman of the Year award from the International Cinematographers Guild in February, according to a Variety report.

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DuVernay will be presented the award at the 57th Annual ICG Publicists Awards luncheon set for Feb. 7 at the Beverly Hilton.

“Thank you to ICG for recognizing me,” wrote the 47-year-old on Twitter. “I used to be a publicist. This is a full circle thing for me. Appreciative of the acknowledgment. Feels nice.”

Before hitting it big as a producer and director, DuVernay worked in entertainment PR for 12 years and headed up her own firm—something many of her supporters were unaware of before now.  

“Ava DuVernay is the talented force behind some of the most acclaimed works in television and film,” said Publicists Awards co-chair Sheryl Main in a statement. “She appreciates the importance of creative strategic marketing campaigns and supports the roles of publicists in making a movie. We are proud to honor Ava, her expanding career and growing body of work.”

DuVernay’s gripping Netflix limited series “When They See Us” earned 16 Emmy nominations earlier this year, picking up a win for star Jharrel Jerome and for casting.

 “This honor means something very special to me. It comes from a tribe of professionals that I was proud to call myself a part of for over a decade. I’m more thrilled to be recognized by the publicist community than I can express,” said Ava DuVernay in a formal statement.

DuVernay’s past film work includes the Oscar-nominated “Selma,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” and the Netflix documentary “13th.”

Fun fact: “Wrinkle in Time” is the highest-grossing movie ever from an African-American female director.

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