Organizers said over 3,000 people attended last year’s Urban Film Festival.
Staff Report
MIAMI – The second annual Urban Film Festival is scheduled to open an anticipated sold out crowd on Labor Day weekend. The three-day event will take place Sept. 1-3 during Labor Day weekend in Overtown and Little Haiti.
The festival’s theme is “For Creators and By Creators.” It is the brainchild of Florida Film House co-founder and executive producer Marco Mall.
“The goal is to create an outlet for young and upcoming filmmakers to gain education, exposure and distribution,” Mall said.
The festival focuses on providing top notch education for new age filmmakers by bringing industry leaders to teach workshops and master classes in topics such as producing, directing, cinematography, acting, writing and distribution.
Organizers said last year’s festival attracted more than 3,000 attendees as well as a host of celebrities, including the late actor Tommy Ford of “Martin” fame, Clifton Powell and JoJo Simmons who deemed it a “dynamic event.”
“The Urban Film Festival is a unique festival with a lot to offer both the novice and the experienced filmmaker,” Ford said.
This year’s celebrity honoree is rapper and actor Romeo Miller, son of hip hop icon Master P, currently starring in the hit series “Growing Up Hip Hop.”
The festival will open on Friday, Sept. 1, with the screening of “A Miami Love Story” directed by Bla G at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59 Terrace in Miami.
The film is a current day adaptation of Romeo & Juliet produced by Mall, which depicts the tensions between Dominicans and Haitians through a love story. Grammy award- winning artist Wyclef Jean scored the feature-length movie starring Miguel “Fuego” Duran, Lexi De La Rosa, Paul Antoine, Mitch Lemos and Jasmine “Jazzy” Brown. An after party at Club Dream will immediately follow the screening.
On Saturday, September 2, the festival will continue with an array of workshops from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2 Ave. in Miami.
Festival-goers can also enjoy ‘Best of’ movies throughout Saturday at the Lyric Theater and screenings of movies contending for the People’s Choice Award from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Overtown Performing Arts Center, 1074 NW 3 Ave. in Miami.
The People’s Choice screenings allow the audience to choose their favorite films.
Wrap up festivities for Sept. 2 include the world premiere of “Candy,” presented by Mr. Boomtown at 8 p.m. followed by an after party.
Sunday, Sept. 3 will feature more workshops, classes and screenings at the Lyric Theater. At 5 p.m., there will be a world premiere of the faith-based film “Love & Reality” directed by Yonel Aris and starring Paul Antoine and Sheila Marie.
Radio personality Felicia Monet will host the grand finale Award Ceremony celebrating winning films and the winner of the People’s Choice Screening.
The Urban Film Festival is possible thanks to sponsorships from the Southeast Overtown Parkwest Community Redevelopment Agency, Simkins Family Foundation, Hennessy and the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. For more information, a full schedule to purchase or passes, visit www.urbanfilmfestivals.com.
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