VIMOOZ

The anti-violence short film “THE PAINTER,” premiered at the UrbanWorld Film Festival.  Written and directed by Kevin Cooper, and starring Ron Caldwell, THE PAINTER tackles the tough subject of how violence is robbing the innocence of our youth.  Cooper partnered with non-profit organizations UCAN and Youth Guidance, to include children from high risk areas in the filmmaking process. “It was inspiring working with these children…a film about the violence with the help of victims,” says Cooper.

Stacy Spikes (Urbanworld founder), Tai Beauchamp, Marvin Scott (HBO), Allison Bonner Shillingford, Solvan “Slick” Naim, Robert Kolodny, Yoruba Richen, Darius Clark Monroe, Greg Rhem (HBO), and Gbenga Akinnagbe

THE VOLUNTEER directed by Vicky Wight, THE NEW BLACK directed by Yoruba Richen, and FULL CIRCLE directed by Solvan “Slick” Naim won the big awards at the 17th annual Urbanworld Film Festival held over the weekend – September 18 to 22 in Manhattan, New York City. Urbanworld, which screened 60 films this year describes itself at the largest internationally competitive festival dedicated to the exhibition of independent cinema by and about people of color. 

Rickey Smiley, Derek Luke, Jill Scott, Paula Patton and David E. Talbert at the Urbanworld Opening Night screening of Baggage Claim The 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival kicked off last night, Thursday, September 19, 2013, with the premiere of the romantic comedy BAGGAGE CLAIM at the SVA Theater in Manhattan. Director David E. Talbert along with cast members Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Jill Scott, Jenifer Lewis and Rickey Smiley all attended the premiere.  Urbanworld runs through Sunday, September 22, 2013.

Jennifer Hudson as “Gloria,” the troubled mother of son Mister (Skylan Brooks) in THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE

Actor Larenz Tate – star of the BET original movie GUN HILL – will serve as festival ambassador for the upcoming 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET Networks, which runs September 18 to 22, 2013 at midtown Manhattan’s AMC 34th Street. George Tillman’s THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE will be the official Closing Night Film on September 21, 2013.

David E. Talbert’s BAGGAGE CLAIM

The 17th Urbanworld Film Festival taking place September 18-22, 2013 in midtown Manhattan New York City, announced its 2013 lineup. The festival will open on September 19 with David E. Talbert’s BAGGAGE CLAIM, a romantic comedy starring Paula Patton, Taye Diggs, Boris Kodjoe,Tremaine Neverson, Adam Brody, Jenifer Lewis, Ned Beatty, Lauren London,Tia Mowry, La La Anthony , Christina Milian, Affion Crockett, Terrence J, Rickey Smiley, Thomas Miles and Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou.