The 28th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival and Innovation Summit wrapped up this week in New York City. It marked a significant milestone in cinema and technology. Read more about the pioneering film festival inside.

From Nov. 13 through Nov. 17, Urbanworld Film Festival wrapped up a series of events and sold-out screenings. This year’s festival drew global creators and thought leaders, cementing its reputation as a premier platform for groundbreaking films, innovation, and dynamic cultural conversations.

The Innovation Summit, powered by the FutureCast Foundation, spotlighted storytelling’s future through AI, VR, and digital media. Highlights included a masterclass by Urbanworld’s founder, Stacy Spikes and impactful discussions from industry giants like Netflix and Roku. Summit Ambassador Chiké Okonkwo emphasized technology’s role in amplifying diverse voices, inspiring a new wave of creatives.

Urbanworld showcased over 70 films, including sold-out screenings of Songs From the Hole, Criminal, and The Honorable Shyne. Celebrations peaked with the Luminary Award honoring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Emerging Talent Awards for Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse.

The awards brunch highlighted exceptional cinema with accolades for Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green (Best Narrative Feature) and It Was All a Dream (Best Documentary Feature). Audience favorites included Songs From the Hole and Fannie.

Star power elevated the festival, featuring talents like Lynn Whitfield, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Closing the event, Hulu’s The Honorable Shyne offered an emotional exploration of Shyne’s journey, a perfect end to the five-day celebration.

Urbanworld Director Karen McMullen described the festival as a movement, igniting change through powerful storytelling. As Urbanworld eyes its 29th year, it promises even greater innovation and diversity, continuing to shape entertainment’s future.

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