The film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Song , but not Best Director , at the 2014 Academy Awards . The lack of diversity among the Oscar nominations for 2014 was the subject of much press , especially on Twitter . This film was the only one directed by a person of color that was nominated for the 87th Academy Awards . The award for Best Original Song went to " Glory " from '' Selma '' . DuVernay said that she had not expected to be nominated as director , so the omission did not really bother her ; but she was disappointed that actor David Oyelowo , who portrayed King , was not nominated as Best Actor . She said that the obstacles to people of color being represented in the Academy Awards were systemic
87th Academy Awards
87th Academy Awards
Ava DuVernay