Oh, what a night! President Barack Obama hosted a private screening of the Oscar-nominated historical drama Selma at the White House on Friday, Jan. 16. The special event took place just one day before First Lady Michelle Obama's 51st birthday and the day after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.
Guests in attendance included castmembers David Oyelowo (who plays Martin Luther King, Jr.), Oprah Winfrey, director Ava DuVernay, Common, Tim Roth (Governor George Wallace), Carmen Ejogo (Coretta Scott King), plus Congressman John Lewis.
"Everyone was thrilled to see the movie," a source tells Us Weekly.
Indeed, Common was so ecstatic to be at the White House that he posted an Instagram video during the evening. "Some people take their friends to the movies, I take the movies to my friends @selmamovie," he wrote.
He added in the clip: "I'm at a screening for Selma right now in the White House. Incredible. Selma. Love."
The week has proved to be a special one for Common. The hip hop recording artist and John Legend won a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award for the film's song, "Glory." On Thursday, it was nominated for an Oscar, and the film was also nominated for Best Picture.
Selma's star Oyelowo, unfortunately, wasn't as lucky. The actor was noticeably left off the Best Actor category. The lack of diversity in the selections (all 20 nominees in acting categories are white) ignited an outrage on social media. In addition, DuVernay was also not nominated in the directing category.