Urban World Film Festival
The world's largest competitive film festival for Black, Latino, Asian, and diverse content, held annually in September in New York City, celebrating multicultural storytelling and diverse filmmakers.
Overview
Urban World Film Festival is the world's largest competitive film festival for Black, Latino, Asian, and diverse content. Founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, a co-founder of MoviePass, the festival takes place annually in September in New York City and screens approximately 60 films over five days, with a competitive program that celebrates multicultural storytelling.
Urban World operates at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and commerce. The festival attracts industry professionals from major studios, streaming platforms, and production companies who are specifically seeking diverse content and diverse filmmakers. The festival's New York location and September timing, adjacent to the Emmy Awards season, creates particular relevance for film and television crossover content.
The festival's mission of amplifying multicultural voices has made it a significant platform for filmmakers from underrepresented communities seeking mainstream industry attention. Urban World has been an early platform for numerous filmmakers who went on to significant Hollywood careers.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Competition -- diverse narrative features competing for jury prizes
- Documentary Competition -- nonfiction films celebrating diverse stories
- Short Film Competition -- short films by and about diverse communities
- Television Competition -- pilots and series
- Urban World Online -- digital and streaming content
What Filmmakers Should Know
Urban World accepts open submissions. The festival is specifically dedicated to films by and about Black, Latino, Asian, and diverse communities. For filmmakers from these communities seeking New York industry exposure, Urban World provides direct access to the decision-makers at studios and platforms who are actively seeking diverse content.
The festival's industry programming connects filmmakers with agents, managers, producers, and executives through panels, screenings, and networking events.
Major Awards
- Best Narrative Feature -- jury prize
- Best Documentary
- Best Short Film
- Best Television Pilot
- Audience Award -- across categories
Festival History
Urban World was founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes and has operated continuously since then. The festival emerged during a period of growing recognition that mainstream film culture was failing to reflect the diversity of American society and has maintained its mission of amplifying underrepresented voices through three decades of operation.
See Also
For diverse filmmaking and representation, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
