I just remember not having access to films as a young person who loved films but living in Compton.

Hollywood needs more women directors, and Mama Ava needs a carafe and a half of that sweet vino divino.

Those [old] days are gone... accept the reality and do it.

When you say cultural icon, I scrunch my nose.

I didn't start out thinking that I could ever make films. I started out being a film lover, loving films, and wanting to have a job that put me close to them and close to filmmakers and close to film sets.

I did not have any problem with speaking up because my mother, my family, my grandmother, my aunt - I grew up in a family dominated by women - always encouraged me to do so. And if a girl is unafraid, then the world is her oyster.

Filmmakers need to realize that their job isn't done when they lock picture. We must see our films through.