The Urbanworld Film Festival just wrapped up its 21st year of existence. Founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, Urbanworld has since screened cinematic offerings that have since been recognized as the some of the best examples of black filmmaking ever assembled.
That tradition continued this year as films like Jinn, The Hate U Give and Night School highlighted a diverse slate of films crafted by filmmakers from across the globe.
The Shadow League has covered Urbanworld for most of our existence and it serves as something of a Mecca for the many of the game’s top black film creatives. SImone Missick, Boris Kodjoe, Joe Morton, Tasha Smith and Mustafa Shakir were among the beautiful ebony and mocha-hued creatives that walked the red carpet and addressed the press.
What is a philosophical Mecca? It is a place where those devoted to a particular craft inevitably return to pay homage to those who were inspired in their wake, and to their own legacy as well.
Points On The Board: TSL Senior Culture Contributor Ricardo Hazell
PointsOnTheBoard is a podcast where managing editor, Kyle Harvey, and Shadow League contributors and guests break down the top stories from sports, culture and more. The Shadow League’s Ricardo Hazell pays us a visit to talk about the Ava Duvernay, Of Gods and Men, Urbanworld Film Festival and all things TSL culture.
This year, the Urbanworld’s Spotlight Series of screenings featured Q&A discussions with some of the biggest names in film; including Ava DuVernay, Kevin Hart, TIffany Haddish, Boris Kodjoe, John David Washington, Naturi Naughton, Will Packer and Malcolm D. Lee.
Below is a list of the winners from Urbanworld 2018.
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE (U.S. CINEMA) Pimp Directed by Christine Crokos
(Presented by ARRAY – $2,500 Prize)
Honorable Mention 1 Angry Black Man Directed by Menelek Lumumba
PIMP
Uploaded by Urban World on 2018-09-05.
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE (WORLD CINEMA) The Burial of Kojo Directed by Blitz Bazawule
(Presented by Urbanworld – $2,500 Prize)
Honorable Mention El Chata (The Sparring Partner) Directed by Gustavo Ramos
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT Wale Directed by Barnaby Blackburn
(Presented by REIGN$25,000 funding commitment towards next short film project, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform)
2nd Prize Let Them Die Like Lovers Directed by Jesse Atlas
$15,000 funding commitment towards next short film project, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform.
3rd Prize Are We Good Parents? Directed by Bola Ogun
$10,000 funding commitment towards next short film project, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Mr. Soul Directed by Melissa Haizlip
(Presented by HBO — $5,000 Prize)
Honorable Mention The PushoutsDirected by Katie Galloway & Dawn Valadez
BEST MUSIC VIDEO Scandal Directed by Pablo Mengin-Lecreulx
BEST SCREENPLAY Northern Cross Written by Melody Cooper
(Presented by BET Networks $10,000 Prize)
Honorable Mention Johnny Ace Written by Moon Molson
BEST YOUNG CREATOR Three In Stride Directed by Sasha Whittle
(Presented by REIGN –$25,000 funding commitment for next short film project, along with mentorship; funded project will be exhibited on REIGN’s on-demand platform)
Honorable Mention: Silvia In The Waves Directed by Giovana Olmos
BEST WEB ORIGINAL Frank & Lamar Directed by Fred Soligan
Honorable Mention: Otis Directed by Alexander Etseyatse
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Best Feature Pimp Directed by Christine Crokos
Best Short Jitters Directed by Otoja Abit
