During the month of September in New York City nothing matters more for film lovers than attending Urbanworld Film Festival, the nation's largest competitive multicultural film festival....and this is year was no different! For five consecutive days from September 17-21 the 18th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival sponsored by BET and HBO packed theaters like AMC 34th St. and SVA theater at 333 W. 23rd St. with excited Urbanworld Film Festival pass holders. In addition to a schedule that consisted of over 70 screenings, a series of panels, workshops, parties, and awards brunch, festival pass holders had an opportunity to view some of the most spectacular films slated to hit theaters worldwide during the last quater of 2014. Kicking off this years film festival was the New York City premier of "Beyond The Lights" a love story directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood best known for her 2000 cult classic "Love and Basketball" and her 2008 film "The Secret Life of Bees". In "Beyond the Lights" Bythewood has captured an authentic romantic feel between two young lovers Noni and Kaz (GuGu Mbatha Raw and Nate Parker) who are desperately searching to rediscover their true selves.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania alum and media corresspondent Tanisha LaVerne Grant was in New York City to cover the film festival and was able to get up close and personal with the actors and directors of not just "Beyond the Lights" but also "Addicted" a thriller which is an adaptation of the best selling novel by Zane directed by Billie Woodruff and stars Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford, and William Levy.
One of the festival highlights was a "spotlight conversation" with Ava Duvernay, standing on her success of "I Will Follow" and "Middle of Nowhere" Duvernay will direct the highly anticipated film "Selma" which stars David Oyelowo as the late Civil Rights Leader Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. An intimate gathering of VIP pass holders were invited to see five minutes of "Selma". While the five minute preview left the audience feeling extremely hopeful of this project, the real excitement is British trained actor David Oyelowo's ability to completely inhabit King. "Selma" is set to open Christmas Day and has an all star cast including Oprah Winfrey, Lorraine Toussaint, and Common. Take a look at some photographs and clips of the 18th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival.
Words : Tanisha LaVerne Grant
Photos : Kemuel Charles and Gianna-Collier Pitts
Video :Courtesy of Wilson Morales
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, October 2nd 2014 at 7:50PM
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