Oprah, Common, Tessa Thompson, David Oyelowo & MORE Attend Screening At 2014 AFI Fest

The first screening of the upcoming civil rights film Selma was held in Hollywood. And of course, many of the cast and the behind-the-scenes folks of the film were in attendance. Oprah, Common, Tessa Thompson, Davis Oyelowo and more were present….

A brand new movie chronicling the life of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is coming to the silver screen real soon. And before it hits theaters, the first screening of SELMA was held during the 2014 AFI Fest at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. It brought out many of the YBF actors/actress who star in the film and those who helped create the motion picture.

Common’s character led the monumental 1963 March on Washington and the 1965 Selma Voting Rights Movement. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.

Diane played a key role in bringing Dr. King to Montgomery, AL, in support of the Freedom Riders. She also played a major role in the Birmingham de-segregation campaign of 1963 and the 1965 Selma Voting Rights Campaign.

Selma director Ava DuVernay looked gorge on the red carpet. Initially, the screening was only for 30 minutes of the film but at the last minute, Ava decided to show the entire film to the audience.  She received a standing ovation.

She took to Twitter and tweeted, "So, @Oprah. I think I want to show the whole film. Not just a 30 minute preview. Why wait, right? Let's DO this! Hot off the presses! Yes?” Oprah responded, “@AVAETC I always thought that was why you were working 20hr days to show the WHOLE film. Congratulations” Nice!

And after the showing of the film, the Selma cast and production staff took the stage for a Q& A session. Exectuive producer Oprah dished on finally deciding David was the man for the MLK role saying,

David and I became fast friends when [we] did The Butler together,” Winfrey told the audience, “and he told me that [playing Martin Luther King Jr.] had been his dream for a very long time. He showed me a tape that [he had made of himself in character as King]. I saw that tape and I said, ‘Yeah, I can see King in you. It's not quite there, but I can see it's on it’s way there. And I want to do whatever I can do to help you get there. That's what got me to say yes.”

Culled from www.ybf.com