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In 2012, Ava DuVernay's directorial debut, "Middle of Nowhere," won the Sundance Film Festival's Best Director prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. The film, which follows a woman's journey through the criminal justice system after her husband is incarcerated, was praised for its nuanced portrayal of race, class, and gender. DuVernay's win marked a significant moment for women and people of color in the film industry.