Gina Prince-Bythewood: An American Cinematheque Retrospective

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to present a retrospective for award-winning director/writer/producer Gina Prince-Bythewood, one of the most versatile storytellers working in film and television. Known for her authentic character-driven work, Prince-Bythewood has directed and written such influential feature films as LOVE & BASKETBALL, THE OLD GUARD, and BEYOND THE LIGHTS.

Prince-Bythewood’s latest directorial project is the epic feature film THE WOMAN KING, from Sony’s Tristar Pictures which opened in US theaters at the top of the domestic box office and received an A+ CinemaScore. The film is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, THE WOMAN KING follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for.

As a longtime advocate for equal representation in film and television on-screen and behind-the-scenes, Prince-Bythewood has championed many emerging writers and directors as well as funding a scholarship for African American students in the film program at UCLA, her alma mater.