The film did receive a nomination in the best picture and original song categories but the obvious slip given to DuVernay and Oyelowo besides other women directors by the Academy voters was criticised by fans.
"I'm glad we're in the room and we're on the carpet because that's how change happens. Sometimes it's slower than we'd like, but you know what, it's happening," Lorraine Toussaint, who plays Amelia Boynton in the film, told E! News.
".... You must be more responsible with the films that you make and the faces you put out there. All white films no longer reflect the face of this world. Let's get on with it, shall we?," she said.
President Barack Obama hosted a private screening of the film at the White House on Friday with DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Common, Oyelowo, Ejogo and Tim Roth attending the event.