UrbanFest 360 And TheBlkScript Team Up For A Weekend Celebration Of Black Cinematic Excellence At Afro TV Studios
Orlando, FL — This past weekend brought a memorable celebration of Black cinema as UrbanFest 360 and TheBlkScript came together for the UrbanFest 360 Film Festival at Afro Television Studios in Orlando on September 20–21. The two-day celebration presented a stunning roster of film screenings, panel discussions, live performances, and an awards ceremony honoring industry icons Danny Glover, Leon, and Kellita Smith.
The festival opened on Saturday with a warm welcome from UrbanFest 360 Founder and Curator Timothy Starks, Vice President and Executive Producer Derrick Brown, and the full creative team, followed by screenings of diverse short films and thought-provoking panels. Audiences engaged with projects such as A Dance With Destiny, A Life With No Future, Run, and Kool-Aid Stand, sparking meaningful conversations around representation and creativity in the films. Panels ranged from health equity—led by Analyn and Raymond Scott in “Secrets of Overcoming Kidney Diseases, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure”—to storytelling as healing, with LyNea Bell moderating “Kids in the Spotlight (KITS)–Short Films & Panel,” featuring films by Los Angeles foster youth alumni. These sessions underscored UrbanFest 360’s commitment to storytelling, education, and empowerment in ways that strengthen our communities.
One of the festival’s highlights came during TheBlkScript’s first-ever live studio taping of BlindSides, which drew an enthusiastic audience and gave rising and established actors the chance to showcase their talents in real time. Judges included TheBlkScript Founder and Creator of BlindSides Kevin Marables, PR Representative Jessica Mifflin, guest judges Jason Gregory and Xiomara Moreno, and acclaimed actor, producer, and director Chris Greene (The Birth of a Nation, Atlanta, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story). Volunteer actors performed scenes on the spot and received constructive feedback from the panel, with volunteer participants like Jermaine calling the experience inspiring, stating, “I feel ready and prepared to take my acting career to the next level after participating in this BlindSides episode.” Guest Judge Xiomara added, “The energy in the room was amazing and it was great to see so many talented actors sharing a space and community. I learned that natural talent always wins.” The live debut proved to be a major success and, according to Marables, is only the beginning, as he is preparing to expand the live platform nationwide.
Day two of the festival turned up the Orlando heat with more panels and screenings including Do You Think of Me?, From Fist to Knee, The Hardway, Start Somewhere, Laundry, Recall, and Leon’s new film Wildcards, directed by Wes Miller. The energy in the room was electric, as audiences celebrated the artistry on display with applause and praises for their powerful performances.
Later in the evening, the awards ceremony paid tribute to veteran actors with Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Danny Glover, Leon, and Kellita Smith. Glover addressed audiences in a heartfelt video message, while Smith delivered an emotional acceptance speech, and Leon turned up the crowd with a performance of The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” bringing back the nostalgia from his classic 1998 biopic performance.
The award ceremony also honored the incredible talent represented throughout the festival, with filmmakers and performers recognized for stories that moved, inspired, and redefined representation on screen. Jennifer Marie’s Kool-Aid Stand won Best Student Short and Best Male Performer (Jared Graham Jr.), presented by Kevin Marables, while Parneille Walker’s Love is Blind and Shari Lynette Carpenter’s Keepers of the Flame took home Best Short Film. Frederick Taylor earned Best Social Impact Film for Where is America The Beautiful?, and Okema T. Moore won Best Director for Laundry, co-produced by Alterik Miller and presented by TheBlkScript’s Jessica Mifflin. Jermaine Alexander was also honored, winning Best Episodic/Web Series for Theatre While Black: The Robey Theatre Co. Alongside these highlights, the ceremony celebrated several other outstanding artists and projects that made the festival a true showcase of Black cinematic excellence.
The celebration set the stage for an even bigger surprise, one that emphasized the event’s influence beyond the screen and into the future of filmmaking in the region. During the ceremony, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings took the stage to announce the return of film incentives for filmmakers in Orlando, saying, “We want more of you superstars to come here, visit with us, and film—and to continue the great work that you’re doing.” This announcement was met with great applause, as the mayor acknowledged UrbanFest 360’s role in helping establish Orlando as a growing hub for film opportunity.
Following the announcement, the evening shifted back to celebration, closing with a performance that matched the energy and excitement of the festival itself. The award show concluded with another electrifying performance by Keith Mitchell, an original member of After 7, who had everyone on their feet and dancing, ending the night on a high note and leaving us with an unforgettable experience.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for next year’s festival.
—Dominique Young // @heyyydommm