Watch out for falling glass.
Director Ava DuVernay has broken a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman of color to helm a live-action film with a budget exceeding $100 million. She is only the third woman ever to accomplish that feat, following in the footsteps of Kathryn Bigelow (K-19: The Widowmaker) and Patty Jenkins (next summer's Wonder Woman).
The film for which DuVernay earns this distinction is A Wrinkle in Time, her latest directorial project. Women and Hollywood was the first to note that the film's $100 million budget, as reported by Deadline, signifies a major milestone for women of color.
Oprah Winfrey, who will star in the Disney film, was among those offering the Selma director their congratulations.
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Ava Duvernay Will Be First African American Woman to Helm $100 Million Film — Women and Hollywood Yay@AVAETC!???? https://t.co/YVroyejTVF
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 3, 2016
Thanks for always cheering me on, @Oprah. And for being a serial shatterer of ceilings that we can all look up to. https://t.co/moSjyB25qn
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) August 3, 2016
Not the first capable of doing so. Not by a long shot. Thanks to @DisneyStudios for breaking this glass with me. https://t.co/iXJ9pgV7eP
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) August 3, 2016
This isn't the first lofty distinction held by DuVernay. In 2015 she became the first Black female director to have her film (Selma) nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Her latest project, the racial-inequality documentary The 13th, will premiere on Netflix in October.