Embodiments are generally directed to autostereoscopic display device illumination apparatuses having one or more optical fibers (i.e., flexible light diffusing waveguides) as linear emitters for illuminating columns of pixels of a display panel within the autostereoscopic display device. In some embodiments, the linear emitters are defined by a single optical fiber that is arranged on a substrate in a serpentine manner to form an array of linear emitters. In some embodiments, the linear emitters are defined by several optical fibers. Illumination apparatuses of some embodiments may also include a prism device configured to create multiple images of the optical fiber(s).