The Urbanworld Film Festival Presented by BET Networks Announces 2011 Festival Slate & Celebrates 15th Anniversary

"Brooklyn Boheme" Selected as Opening Night Film; "Kinyarwanda" is Closing Night Selection

NEW YORK, - The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (http://www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks, announced today that the world premiere of Diane Paragas' and Nelson George's Brooklyn Boheme (Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams) will serve as Opening Night selection for the festival, which will take place September 14-18, 2011 in midtown Manhattan at AMC 34th Street.

BET Networks returns for a fourth year as presenting sponsor along with founding sponsor HBO, who will host the Urbanworld Digital program again this year.

Alrick Brown's Kinyarwanda, a feature narrative based on the 1994 Rwandan genocide, is the festival's Closing Night Selection. Kinyarwanda earned the World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and is also the second release (in theatres November 2011) from AFFRM (African American Film Festival Releasing Movement), an Urbanworld partner.

The nation's largest competitive multicultural film festival, Urbanworld also announced its 2011 official selections for the narrative feature, documentary feature, documentary short, and narrative short categories. The festival will screen 58 films, including 17 world premieres.

Highlights of Urbanworld 2011 include: the Horne Brothers' The Start of Dreams, a documentary set in the world of Broadway and starring Kenny Leon, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and more; Ty Hodges' You, Me & the Circus, produced by Omar Epps; Parrish Smith's The Scroll, a documentary featuring T.D. Jakes, Rev. Al Sharpton, Bishop Eddie Long, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Rev. A.R. Bernard and more; Victoria Mahoney's Yelling to the Sky, starring Zoe Kravitz and Gabourey Sidibe; Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation, a production of Vh1 Rock Docs in association with Prodigious Media; narrated/executive produced by Ice-T and starring Snoop Dogg, Rza, Raekwon, ?uestlove, Too $hort and Chuck D; and the season two premiere of HBO Presents: How to Make It In America, starring Kid Cudi.

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, as well as the 2nd Annual BET / Urbanworld Teleplay competition, both of which deliver a $5,000 prize to the winner. Finalists include: After the Storm written by Cole Wiley; Blackbird written by David Polk; My Heart Skipped a Beat written by R. Shanea Williams; The Divide written by Rashmi Singh; and By My Boot Straps written by Debra Azemar.

"We are proud to enter our 15th year of celebrating the artistry and genius of multicultural films and filmmakers from around the globe," said Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld. "Once again, BET's and HBO's invaluable partnerships will allow us to bring more than 17 world premieres to a national audience."

"BET Networks is thrilled to support the 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival celebrating the amazing creativity and work of such talented filmmakers," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks. "This is the leading showcase for multicultural films, many of which connect with our audience, and we applaud the Urbanworld® Foundation Inc. for its continuous leadership in redefining the multicultural roles in the world of film entertainment."

Urbanworld Film Festival 2011 Roster

Opening Night:

Brooklyn Boheme, directed by Diane Paragas and Nelson George â€" World Premiere

Closing Night:

Kinyarwanda, directed by Alrick Brown â€" New York Premiere

Spotlights:

HBO Presents: How To Make It In America â€" Sneak Peak, Season 2 Episodes
I Want My Name Back, directed by Roger P

Nation's Premier Showcase For Urban, Ethnic and Multicultural Cinema To Be Held in New York City on September 23 - 27, 2009

NEW YORK - The Urbanworld Foundation and BET Networks today announced its call for entries and 2009 dates for The 13th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET. The cable network's involvement marks the second year of an ongoing strategic partnership with the nation's largest competitive multicultural film festival. Urbanworld will be held September 23-27, 2009 in New York City. HBO returns as Founding Sponsor.

Submissions are now open through June 26, 2009, and must be accompanied by an official Urbanworld Film Festival submission form available at UrbanWorld.org or WithoutABox.com. Urbanworld's competitive categories include narrative feature, narrative short, documentary feature, documentary short, screenplay, new director's award and audience award.

"As we embark on our 13th year, we're thrilled to continue our powerful collaboration with BET as the premier festival showcase for multicultural cinematic expression," explained Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld. "Our mission to exhibit bold, new filmmaking by diverse artists is strengthened by BET's comprehensive support and unwavering commitment."

"We are thrilled to partner with Stacy Spikes and the Urbanworld Film Festival for a second year," said Janet Rolle, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for BET Networks. "Last year was an amazing experience, as this festival brings both the BET audience and some of our key marketing partners closer to the new wave of emerging talent in film and entertainment. We are looking forward to the upcoming slate of films and are proud to be the presenting sponsor."

Selected films will be judged by a panel of industry professionals and will compete for Grand Jury Awards in the categories of Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Screenplay and Director to Watch. Attendees will determine the Audience Award