Urbanworld Film Festival

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About Urbanworld Film Festival

The Urbanworld Film Festival, founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, is one of the largest internationally competitive festivals dedicated to celebrating multicultural storytelling across cinema and media platforms. Held annually in New York City, Urbanworld curates a diverse programming slate that includes narrative and documentary features, short films, web originals, music videos, and live staged screenplay readings.

Highlights

Multicultural Focus: Celebrates stories that reflect the experiences of underrepresented communities.
Innovation Summit: Hosts discussions with industry experts on content creation, financing, distribution, and marketing trends.
Notable Participants: Renowned filmmakers and talents such as Ava DuVernay, Nelson George, and Alex Rivera have graced the festival.
Milestone Anniversary: Celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, showcasing its enduring influence on the film industry.

The Impact of Urbanworld Film Festival

Promoting Multicultural Storytelling

Urbanworld plays a pivotal role in amplifying diverse voices and fostering representation in the film industry:

Recognition of Excellence: Awarded its Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature to Drylongso in 1999, a film later restored and re-released in 2023.
Diverse Winners: In 2020, honored The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain for Best Narrative Feature (U.S.) and Salvation for Best Narrative Feature (World Cinema).

Supporting Innovation

The festival’s commitment to innovation extends beyond screenings:

Creative Producer Award: Introduced in 2022 to recognize excellence in producing.
Industry Panels: The Urbanworld Innovation Summit fosters dialogue on emerging trends and opportunities.

Showcasing Culturally Significant Works

Urbanworld consistently premieres groundbreaking and culturally resonant films:

2023 Premiere: Featured A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, directed by The RZA and Gerald Barclay.
Visionary Leadership: Honored Cord Jefferson, director of American Fiction, with the Visionary Award in 2023.

Building a Legacy

For over two decades, Urbanworld has provided a vital platform for filmmakers and creatives to share their stories with diverse audiences, redefining the cultural narrative and shaping the future of media.

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