Urbanworld Film Festival Announces Ambassador
NEW YORK -- The 14th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks, today announced actress Kerry Washington as festival ambassador and Magnolia Pictures' Night Catches Us -- directed by Tanya Hamilton and starring Washington and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) -- as the Opening Night film. The world premiere of the family drama I Will Follow -- written and directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Black Dynamite, Antwone Fisher), Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls, Kick-Ass) and Beverly Todd (Crash) -- is the festival's Closing Night selection. Founding sponsor HBO continues its support of Urbanworld, the nation's largest competitive multicultural film festival which will place September 15-19, 2010 in the heart of Manhattan. Urbanworld also announced the 2010 official selections for the narrative feature, documentary feature, short documentary and short narrative categories. The festival will screen 71 films this year, including 22 world premieres. Highlights of Urbanworld 2010 include: Nabil Elderkin's Bouncing Cats, narrated by rapper/actor Common with Mos Def and Will-I-Am; Robert O'Hara's The Inheritance, starring Golden Brooks and DB Woodside; Qasim Basir's Mooz-lum, starring Danny Glover, Nia Long and Evan Ross; and Madeleine Sackler's The Lottery, which uncovers the failures of the American public school system. In addition, the festival will present the work of five Urbanworld Screenplay Competition finalists in live readings. This private event will be hosted by BET Networks, the sponsor of the screenplay competition category. Finalists include Bag Ladieswritten by Tai Nelson; Gracey, written by Julian Breece; Jean of the Joneses, written by Alison Meghie; Knife to a Gunfight, written by Gemal Woods and Osvaldo's written by Randy Wilkins. "This year's program is rooted in our original mission: to shine a light on films and filmmakers whose artistic excellence is too often overlooked elsewhere," said Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld. "Through our partnership with BET, we are thrilled to introduce more than 20 world premieres in a true celebration of bright, bold multicultural filmmaking." “We are proud to have the opportunity to once again partner with Stacy Spikes and the Urbanworld Film Festival,” said Alvin Bowles, Senior Vice President of Brand Solutions for BET Networks. “This year’s exciting slate of cinematic talent encompasses BET Networks’ initiative to embrace and support the new wave of filmmakers of color through our partnership and we are thrilled to serve as the presenting sponsor for a third year.” Urbanworld Film Festival 2010 Roster Opening Night Selection: Closing Night Selection: Narrative Feature Competition: Documentary Feature Competition: Documentary Short Competition: Narrative Short Competition: Screenplay Finalists: About Urbanworld The Urbanworld® Film Festival is the largest internationally competitive festival of its kind. The five-day festival includes features, documentaries, short films, as well as panel discussions, live staged screenplay readings, the celebrated Actor's Spotlight, Actor's Boot Camps, and introducing Urbanworld® Digital, a 1-day Conference during the festival focused on Digital and Social media. Over the last thirteen years, Hollywood studios have consistently chosen Urbanworld® to premiere box office and award-winning hits. Urbanworld® has also become home to some of today's top brands who wish to reach key influencers and social media leaders across the African American and Latino landscape. The Urbanworld® Film Festival is an initiative of the Urbanworld® Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes dedicated to redefining the multicultural roles in contemporary cinema, television and online by implementing programs and initiatives that support the development of the urban content creation community. Gabrielle Glore serves as Executive Producer of the Urbanworld Film Festival, as well as ancillary Urbanworld Foundation endeavors. For this year's 2010 festival, BET Networks returns as the Presenting Sponsor. HBO continues support as the Founding Sponsor. Media Sponsors include Essence, Vibe, Uptown, BlackPlanet.com, TheUrbanDaily, KISS FM, HOT 97, and Jigsaw Global. Benefactor Sponsors include AMC Theatres, Directors Guild of America - New York, and urbanAdserve.
