Ava DuVernay's 13th Opens NYFF and Enters Oscar Race

The documentary feature race is becoming a bit muddled, with television and streaming programs managing to be eligible for both, and due to the sheer volume of quality work. But with the Oscar race just underway with the onslaught of the fall festivals, the Documentary Feature race has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight with the premiere of Ava Duvernay's "13th" that opened up the New York Film Festival last night. After Selma managed to be essentially snubbed by Oscar voters a few years ago, Ava DuVernay is starting much earlier this year, with a new film that is being hailed as one of the best, and most relevant films of the year, and has rocketed to the top of the Documentary Feature race. It's timely look at mass incarceration, racial disparities, and violence against the black community will resonate with Oscar voters, as it has with the American populace.