Some film festivals thrive on controversy while others gain notoriety for their parties or celebrity appearances, all of which seem to detract audience attention from what is supposedly the main point of these events -- watching movies.
Audiences Stay for the "Being Mary Jane" Screening Q&A at the 2012 Urbanworld Film FestivalThe 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival, however, is where I found movie lovers and filmmakers congregating around a myriad of short and feature length works that made us laugh, cry and possibly even gain a new perspective on what it means to be black or bi-polar or disabled or in love with a child molestor or any other fabric of life that is a part of the human experience regardless of whether we understand it or not.
Were there parties involved? Yes. Thanks to the Opening Night after-party, I was introduced to "Candid," a horror film about a voyeuristic stalker who comes across a beautiful model who is also a serial killer. Did famous faces attend the festival? Yes, again. During a post-screening Q&A for the "Being Mary Jane"premiere screening, actress Gabrielle Union made it clear that her bills don't care if a paycheck comes from film or television, because at the end of the day, she's making a living doing what she loves -- acting.
Film remained at the center of attention, which is probably why Urbanworld continues to attract the kind of movie fanatics who will sit on floors and stand along the stairwell of theaters that are packed to the max -- just to watch a movie. Photographer Deb Marcano, who has been coming to Urbanworld since it began 16 years ago told me that there were times in the past when you couldn't even get into the screenings because the lines at the theater were so long.
"Middle of Nowhere" lead actress Emayatzy Corinealdi at Urbanworld Film Festival's Closing Night Screening. "Middle of Nowhere," directed by Ava DuVernay, is about a medical student who puts her dreams on hold when her husband is sent to prison. / Photo courtesy of Deb Marcano.While making my way between several film screenings during the 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival, I interviewed a few audience members at AMC Theaters on 34th Street, whose experiences confirm how eager people are to see something new -- and that something doesn't necessarily have to always correlate with movie scenes featuring shootouts, explosions or fancy effects.
Madlab Post: Is this your first time attending the Urbanworld Film Festival?
"It is my first time -- I wanted to see 'Middle of Nowhere' but after seeing the trailer for 'Wolf,' I was really compelled to come see it and it was everything I thought it would be. It was monstrous, beautiful and everything you needed to say." - Julian King, 34, Philadelphia, PA
"No, I believe I did it once before, a couple of years back. My experience was very positive. I'm always interested in supporting these young actors and directors, so I try to support as much as I can. When my friend told me about this one, I definitely jumped to the opportunity to come and check it out." - Janelle Telesford, 41, Brooklyn, NY
"No. I've been coming for the last four years. Growing up in New York, I knew it was very popular in the city. I'm also an aspiring filmmaker myself." - Mykwain Gainey, 29, Bronx, NY
Which film are you most excited to see?
"Definitely 'Middle of Nowhere.' The next film I'm going to see, however, is 'Getting Up' -- It's a beautiful documentary about a graffiti artist who is stricken with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). It looks beautiful. 'Wolf' blew my mind and I'm very proud to be a part of [the audience] seeing the screening." - J. King
"'The Bluest Note.' I'd be excited to check out the others as well but at this moment, 'The Bluest Note' is the one I'm most definitely interested to see." - J. Telesford.
Actor Jordan Cooper, leading actor in "Wolf" at the Urbanworld Film Festival. "Wolf" directed by Ya'ke smiith, is about a family shaken to the core when learning their child has been molested and loves his abuser."Well, I came to support a lot of the short films but I was really excited to see 'Wolf' last night. Yake's film was definitely incredible. The performances were very intense. I've been hearing about it over the last few months on the festival circuit, so I really wanted to come out and support it." - M. Gainey
How would you describe the Urbanworld Film Festival to the average movie fan who hasn't been here before?
"I would say you're NOT a movie fan if you haven't been here, because this experience -- just seeing movies from the ground up; No hype, no 'A-list' person to blind [your attention from] the movie itself with their own stardom -- This is what it's all about. This is true storytelling and you should come out and see it, support it and find yourself a new favorite actor." - J. King
"I would describe it as an opportunity to pack in as many movies [as you can] in a short period of time and get a variety of an experience as you can -- There's so many different movies that play at these events -- comedy, drama, musicals, etc. in a short space in time without sitting for three or four hours to see two movies." - J. Telesford.
"I think that for people who are tired of seeing misrepresentations of ourselves in the media, I would definitely recommend coming to Urbanworld because you get to see a varied perspective on what it is to be 'urban' -- not just black or Hispanic, but really just to see how we are -- 'cause you know, we're not monolithic. So, what I really appreciate about the festival is that you can come and see yourself on the big screen." - M. Gainey.
So, there you have it... some notes from my travels and coversations over movies, drinks, food, bright lights, big screens and pretty pictures. If there is ever a time to visit New York City, it's during the Urbanworld Film Festival!