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Urbanworld Film Festival and Innovation Summit Unveils 2024 Lineup: Elevating Trailblazing Voices and Revolutionary Stories

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NEW YORK, NY (SMI-GLOBAL-ENTERTAINMENT OCT 26-NOV. 17, 2024)-The Urbanworld Film Festival and Innovation Summit returns to New York City from November 13-17, 2024, for its 28th edition, promising an unforgettable celebration of cinema, creativity, and cutting-edge ideas.

 


 
As one of the most highly anticipated events in the industry, this Academy Award® Qualifying Festival continues to lead the charge at the intersection of film, storytelling, and technology.
 
This year’s event will feature a captivating lineup of films, thought-provoking discussions, and transformative experiences. HBO proudly celebrates 28 years as a founding partner, with Warner Bros. Discovery joining as a prestigious partner, underscoring the festival's influential role in shaping the future of entertainment.
 

This year, the festival will feature an electrifying slate of screenings at Regal Union Square, Manhattan's iconic cinematic hub, where filmmakers and audiences will converge to experience stories from across the globe. Complementing the festival’s screenings, the Urbanworld Innovation Summit will return on opening day, held at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center, fostering conversations at the cutting edge of storytelling and creative expression.

The Innovation Summit, powered by The FutureCast Foundation, is a vital platform for film, digital content, and storytelling trailblazers. A space for creators, industry leaders, and visionaries to explore the evolving landscape of narrative art, the summit promises to push boundaries, offering immersive experiences and conversations that will shape the future of content creation.
 

"Urbanworld is more than just a festival—it's a global celebration of innovation, creativity, and the transformative power of storytelling," said Karen McMullen, Urbanworld Film Festival Director. "We are honored to present films and projects from filmmakers and screenwriters from over 15 countries, reflecting the diversity and depth of human experience. This year, we are particularly proud to shine a light on our Spotlight: Middle Eastern Shorts, which honors the beauty, strength, and resilience of a region facing immense challenges."

 

The Directors Guild of America (DGA), a longstanding supporter since 2000, will host exclusive events for independent filmmakers, including a private luncheon for directors presenting their films at the festival. In addition, the Writers Guild of America, East returns for its 11th consecutive year as a partner, bringing its screenplay competition to the forefront with live table reads and conversations with some of the most innovative screenwriters in the industry. Directors across 14 film categories will be honored with jury-selected Best in Festival accolades.

Not-to-be-missed highlights include Albany Road, directed by Michael Swanson, featuring the legendary Lynn Whitfield and Renée Elise Goldsberry. We’re thrilled to showcase the directorial debut of actor Denzel Whitaker and co-director Yuki Maekawa-Ledbetter in Brand New. Beyond the screenings, attendees can engage in a powerful Clips and Conversation session with acclaimed filmmakers Coodie & Chike, renowned for their cultural influence. The festival also promises a vibrant Opening Night Party, a live breakdancing performance presented by ESPN Films, and the prestigious Awards Brunch, hosted by J. Alphonse Nicholson—who will also debut his directorial feature Freight. Sponsored by Walt Disney Studios x ESPN Films, these moments are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Bringing the festival to a powerful close is The Honorable Shyne, a Hulu Original, presented by Andscape and Hulu, followed by an exclusive Q&A. This compelling documentary delves into the extraordinary journey of Moses "Shyne" Barrow, the Grammy Award-winning artist who transformed from a rising rap star of the late '90s to a respected politician. The Honorable Shyne explores his remarkable story of redemption and reinvention. With Andscape, part of The Walt Disney Company—a Black content studio known for its nuanced exploration of Black identity through sports and culture—at the helm, this closing night promises to be an unforgettable moment of inspiration and reflection.

Urbanworld continues to stand as a beacon for diverse voices and forward-thinking narratives, amplifying underrepresented communities while pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creative innovation. The festival promises to be a convergence of visionaries, inspiring new possibilities for the future of cinema and digital content creation. Check out our 2024 highlights:

CONFIRMED PARTNERS:
Founding Partner: HBO
Prestige Partner: Warner Bros. Discovery
Supporting: Comcast NBCUniversal, MoviePass, The New York State Council on the Arts Industry: Motion Picture Association, Roku, The Handy Foundation, Walt Disney Studios, ESPN Films, Andscape, Hulu, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amazon MGM Studios

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