Julie Dash — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Director of *Daughters of the Dust* (1991), the first full-length film by an African-American woman to receive general theatrical release in the U.S.
Recipient of Joseph R. Biden’s President’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation.
Diana King Endowed Professor in Film and Filmmaking, Television and Related Media at Spelman College since 2017.
Member of the L.A. Rebellion, a group of African and African-American filmmakers from UCLA who challenged Hollywood prejudices.
Author of two books related to *Daughters of the Dust*, including a sequel, published in 1992 and 1999.
Holds an MFA from UCLA Film School (1985).

Biography

Julie Dash is an American filmmaker, music video and commercial director, and author, known for her visual investigations into issues of racial justice, diasporic identities, migration, and Black women across films, video, and museum installations. A graduate of the UCLA Film School in 1985, she is recognized as a key figure in the L.A. Rebellion, a movement of African and African-American students who sought to challenge Hollywood prejudices by creating experimental and unconventional films.