Director Gina Prince-Bythewood Says Oscar Snub ‘Speaks To Such A Bigger Issue’

The Oscars are this Sunday, and while people are in discussion of who’s going to win, ‘The Women King’ director Gina Prince-Bythewood is bringing a more important conversation to the table. Prince-Bythewood spoke to PEOPLE at Icon Mann’s pre-Oscar dinner at Waldorf Astoria to relay her feelings on the film not receiving a single Oscar nomination this year, despite garnering nods for “Best Actress” or “Best Director” at other award ceremonies like the Critics Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the BAFTAs.

Prince-Bythewood stated: “I’ll never get over it, because what happened was egregious and … it speaks to such a bigger issue in our industry. But [it also speaks to] who I am, the people around me, these actors. We will never take our foot off the gas. We’re ready to do something next. We’re ready to do something as big, we’re ready to do something together. So we always keep that energy no matter what happens…I’ve gotten so many texts and emails from people in the industry outraged by the Oscar nominations. Of course, I’m disappointed. Who wouldn’t be? Especially because there was so much love for our film.”

Source: BET