Barack Obama to host Selma screening at White House
CBC News | Posted: January 16, 2015 7:26 PM | Last Updated: January 16, 2015
Comes one day after the Academy Awards snubbed the film in some categories
U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting a screening of Selma at the White House on Friday.
This comes one day after the Academy Awards snubbed the film about Martin Luther King Jr., and the Alabama civil rights march in 1965, in some key categories.
Selma gets special distinction
While the film is nominated for best picture and best song, it failed to secure nominations for director Ava DuVernay and lead actor David Oyelowo.
DuVernay and Owelowo are expected to attend the screening along with producer Oprah Winfrey and Common, who is nominated for an Oscar for the film's theme song Glory.
The film's omission from the Oscar nominations sparked a series of complaints over the lack of diversity among the nominees.
All 20 nominations for acting in lead and supporting roles went to white actors.
Event kicks off Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend
The White House has been planning the Selma screening for a while, and the event is designed to kick off the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in the U.S.
The film has come under scrutiny for its portrayal of one of Obama's predecessors, President Lyndon B. Johnson.