UrbanWorld Film Festival: Kerry Washington and friends

The 14th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival at the AMC 34th St Theater in New York with festival ambassador Kerry Washington and actor Jamie Hector, stars of the Opening Night film Night Catches Us (Magnolia Pictures showcase).”This is a great night for black film,” said Washington, who dazzled the red carpet in a chic black mini-skirt. “I will always support independent film because that’s the community I came out of,” added Hector. “And I’m still in it.” The Festival was sold out success, as hundreds flocked to see the premiere of Mooz-lum, directed by Qasim Basir and starring Nia Long, Danny Glover, Evan Ross, Roger Guenveur Smith, Dorian Missick and newcomer Maryam Basir. Additional premieres included Bouncing Cats (narrated by Common and starring the Rock Steady Crew’s Crazy Legs), Kid Capri Presents: The Lionz Den and Hear Me, directed by Kenn Michael. I Will Follow, directed by Ava DuVernay (My Mic Sounds Nice) and starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Sci Fi Channel’s “Eureka”), Omari Hardwick (“Dark Blue,” For Colored Girls), Dijon Talton (“Glee”), Michole White (“Medium”), and comedian Royale Watkins. The film – which screened to a theater so packed, people sat on the floor – received a standing ovation!

Photos by Terrence Jennings & Stephen Knight

For more information on Urbanworld, visit www.urbanworld.org