Spike Lee tells Ava DuVernay to not worry about Oscar snub

Los Angeles: Filmmaker Spike Lee feels missing out on Oscar nomination is not the end of the world for 'Selma' director Ava DuVernay as a good movie will stand the test of time.

The Academy has faced criticism for the lack of diversity in its nominations this year. Both DuVernay and 'Selma' lead star David Oyelowo failed to get nominations in best director and actor categories.

Lee had suffered a similar fate in 1989 when his 'Do the Right Thing' failed to get a best picture nod, which eventually went to 'Driving Miss Daisy'.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Lee addressed the Academy's snub of 'Selma'.

"Nobody's talking about ... Driving Miss Daisy. That film is not being taught in film schools all across the world like Do the Right Thing is," he told The Daily Beast.

"Nobody's discussing Driving Miss ... Daisy. So if I saw Ava today I'd say, 'You know what? ... You made a very good film, so feel good about that and start working on the next one."

Lee, 57, went on to acknowledge the difference in this year's nominees compared with last year's, which included Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong'o and Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave.

"Anyone who thinks this year was gonna be like last year is retarded. There were a lot of black folks up there with 12 Years a Slave, Steve (McQueen), Lupita, Pharrell. It's in cycles of every 10 years."

That said, the Emmy winner is cautiously optimistic about the future. "The Academy is trying to be more diverse," he said, noting the leadership of Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the first black president in the Academy's history.

Lee said, "The validation is if your work still stands 25 years later."