Ava DuVernay announces '14th,' new documentary on birthright amendment contested by Trump

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay has announced a new documentary titled 14th, which will be available on Netflix later this year. This project serves as a follow-up to her 2016 work 13th, which examined the history and legacy of the amendment that abolished slavery in the United States.

The new film focuses on the 14th Amendment, which established birthright citizenship and guarantees equal protection under the law. The amendment has become a central point of conflict in recent years, particularly following executive actions by President Donald Trump aimed at restricting these constitutional protections. The Supreme Court rejected these efforts in a 6-3 decision earlier this June.

DuVernay describes the documentary as an investigation into how the 14th Amendment functions as a permanent legal argument in American life. She states that while her previous film asked who gets caged, this project asks who gets counted. The documentary will feature a variety of voices, including historians and policymakers, to explore the current state of citizenship and the rights promised by the Constitution.

In her announcement, DuVernay noted that she is interested in how the country is being defined today rather than focusing solely on historical events. The film aims to challenge the narratives surrounding civil rights and examine how constitutional promises are interpreted in modern governance. Netflix has confirmed the film is expected for release before the end of 2026.