September 22, 2016
Queen of Katwe, Insecure and more at 20th Urbanworld Film Festival
The Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by REVOLT with founding sponsor HBO, kicked off yesterday, presenting another opportunity for content creators of color to meet, greet, mingle and exhibit their new work to audiences. Now in its 20th year, the festival is one of the largest competitive film festivals for diverse voices and will screen more than 68 films over the festival’s four-day run from Sept. 21—25.
Gabrielle Glore, festival director and head of programming for the Urbanworld Film Festival states, “In our 20th anniversary year, Urbanworld’s curated selections highlight content from around the world, enabling the festival to further expand the gaze on the many distinct voices that deserve to be heard. We are proud to be a welcoming home for filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and industry partners, all of whom return to Urbanworld to celebrate the artistry and craft of filmmaking.”
Tonight, the festival will host a screening of Disney’s Queen of Katwe, with a Q&A with star and Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo and director Mira Nair following. The film is based on the true story of a young, rural Ugandan girl whose world changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of family and community support, moves with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. The film stars Oyelowo, with Tony® nominee and Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o, and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.
Definitely worth noting, the festival will spotlight the highly anticipated premiere of Insecure, Issa Rae’s new show on HBO; Shots Fired on FOX, starring Sanaa Lathan; and The New Edition Story presented by BET Networks.
And if you didn’t know, Oyelowo serves as one-half of the festivals ambassadors, along with Queen Sugar Executive Producer and Director, Ava Duvernay.
The festival also features the REVOLT Young Filmmakers Showcase, which celebrates up-and-coming content creators and provides emerging young filmmakers with a larger platform to share their stories. Three filmmakers and their films will be selected as finalists to attend the REVOLT Music Conference in Miami, Oct.13—16, 2016.
If you’re in New York, make sure to check out the schedule and the films in exhibition this weekend. Follow @UWFilmFest and use #UW20 to join the conversation.