Ava DuVernay: Hollywood Is Over as Alternative Funding Grows
Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay says Hollywood is over due to rising alternative funding and distribution platforms.
2 min read
Ava DuVernay, a two-time Oscar-nominated director, has publicly declared that ‘Hollywood is over’ as the film industry faces a dramatic shift in funding and distribution models. During a Screen Talk at the BFI London Film Festival, DuVernay highlighted the growing role of alternative platforms in financing and promoting films, signaling a potential decline in traditional Hollywood dominance.
Rise of Alternative Funding
DuVernay emphasized that filmmakers can now leverage crowdfunding and digital platforms to bring their projects to life. ‘You put your movie up there, and there are all kinds of apps and sites that allow people who are like-minded to do it,’ she said. This approach enables creators to gather support from a broader audience, with even small investments contributing to the success of a film.
‘Getting 20 people investing $5,000 — a nice amount of money to say something or make something — and there are ways to get that money back, whether it’s through taking the film around to different film festivals or YouTubing it or selling it,’ DuVernay explained. This shift in funding models is not only changing how films are made but also how they are distributed and monetized.
Decline of Traditional Hollywood
DuVernay made it clear that the traditional Hollywood system is on its way out. ‘Hollywood is over,’ she said. ‘Did you guys hear? It’s done. They’re buying each other, they’re collapsing. It’s all changed. They’re selling studio lots. The idea of going to Sundance and getting a three-picture deal from Harvey Weinstein? He’s in prison.’
Her comments reflect a broader sentiment that the old guard of Hollywood is struggling to adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape. The rise of streaming services, digital platforms, and independent filmmaking has disrupted the traditional studio model, leading to a reevaluation of how the industry operates.
Future of the Film Industry
DuVernay concluded by emphasizing the need for innovation in the face of these changes. ‘Everything has changed over the last 10 years, even since I’ve been making [movies and TV shows],’ she said. ‘It’s all: What do we do now? What can we build now that’s new, that serves more kinds of people and kinds of stories?’ Her vision for the future of the film industry is one that embraces diversity, new technologies, and alternative funding methods.
Source: Breitbart
