Though Parker directed, wrote, produced and stars as Turner in the film, he urged "The Birth of a Nation" to be viewed outside of himself. The reality is no one person makes a film," said Parker, noting that hundreds worked on the film. "The Birth of a Nation" first debuted in January at the Sundance Film Festival at the same time the "OscarsSoWhite" backlash was raging. Parker's film immediately sparked widespread Oscar expectations and a bidding war among distributors. But the Toronto Film Festival stood by "The Birth of a Nation," keeping it in its program.

Source: ABC News September 11, 2016 17:03 UTC