Moving Pictures (company)

Moving Pictures (company)
Name	Moving Pictures
Industry	Film production
Founded	1998
Founder	Ava DuVernay and Paul Garnes
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California, United States
Key people	Ava DuVernay (CEO), Paul Garnes (COO)
Products	Feature films, television films, documentaries
Website	https://arraynow.com/

Moving Pictures (company). Moving Pictures is an American independent film and television production company founded in 1998 by filmmaker Ava DuVernay and producer Paul Garnes. The company, later rebranded as Array, is renowned for its focus on amplifying the work of people of color and women filmmakers, producing critically acclaimed narrative features, documentaries, and series. Its mission centers on narrative change and fostering a more inclusive media landscape, operating from its creative campus, Array Creative Campus, in Los Angeles.

History

The company was established in 1998 by Ava DuVernay, initially working in public relations for films like *Dreamgirls* and *Invictus* before transitioning to filmmaking. Its first major production was DuVernay’s second feature, *I Will Follow* (2010), which premiered at the AFI Fest. A pivotal moment came with the release of *Middle of Nowhere* (2012), for which DuVernay won the Sundance Directing Award, bringing significant attention to the company. In 2015, the company launched the grassroots film distribution collective Array Releasing to distribute works by artists of color. The organization underwent a major rebranding in 2019, changing its public-facing name to Array, while retaining Moving Pictures as its legal corporate entity, and subsequently established the Array Creative Campus in Los Angeles's Historic Filipinotown as a permanent home for its operations.

Operations

The company operates through several distinct arms focused on production, distribution, and audience engagement. Its core production division develops and finances projects ranging from independent features like *Selma* to documentary series such as *When They See Us*. The distribution arm, Array Releasing, partners with platforms like Netflix and utilizes innovative grassroots campaigns to bring films to theaters and homes nationwide. A key operational focus is the Array Alliance, a membership-based group that organizes screening events and educational programs, fostering community around its films. Furthermore, the Array Creative Campus serves as a physical hub for screenings, workshops, and archival work, housing the Array 101 curriculum and the Array Research Center dedicated to preserving the legacies of filmmakers of color.

Productions

The company’s filmography is distinguished by projects that center marginalized voices and address social justice themes. Its breakthrough production was the historical drama *Selma* (2014), which chronicled the Selma to Montgomery marches and earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Other notable narrative works include the documentary *13th* (2016), an exploration of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and mass incarceration that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and the limited series *When They See Us* (2019) about the Central Park jogger case. The company has also produced films like *The Black Godfather* and *Colin in Black & White*, consistently partnering with networks and streamers including Netflix, OWN, and Disney+.

Key personnel

The company’s leadership and creative direction are fundamentally shaped by its founders. Ava DuVernay serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is the primary creative visionary, directing and producing many of its flagship projects. Co-founder Paul Garnes acts as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing all business, financial, and operational strategies. The executive team has also included notable producers like Tilane Jones, who serves as President of Array, and collaborations with high-profile talents such as Oprah Winfrey through her network Harpo Productions, and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. This team has cultivated relationships with a wide array of writers, directors, and composers, including Attica Locke and Kris Bowers.

Corporate structure

Legally known as Moving Pictures, the company functions as the umbrella entity for all its activities, but publicly operates under the brand Array. It is structured as a vertically integrated organization encompassing the production division, the distribution arm Array Releasing, and the nonprofit Array Alliance. The company is privately held and financed through a combination of founder investment, production deals with major studios like Paramount Pictures, and partnerships with streaming services. Its physical asset, the Array Creative Campus, is owned by the Array Future Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity dedicated to educational and archival missions, illustrating a hybrid for-profit and nonprofit operational model.

Recognition and awards

The company’s work has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous prestigious honors. Its production *Selma* was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Glory". The documentary *13th* won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and was nominated for an Academy Award. Ava DuVernay’s direction on *When They See Us* earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series. The organization itself has been honored with awards like the Peabody Award and the Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award, recognizing its impact on the film industry and culture.

Category:American film production companies Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Entertainment companies established in 1998