Urbanworld Audiences Thrilled about Diverse Lineup of Stories featuring People of Color #UWFF

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!

Public Relations As Seen On Screen

In the coming days, expect to read several posts about the 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival, which I had the pleasure of attending.

It is at this festival where I saw feature films that have received buzz within the last twelve months such as "The Last Fall" starring Lance Gross. I also watched short films -- some that I didn't particularly care for and others that were surprisingly good including "Sleep," written and directed by Donald Conley.

Although sitting in a cold movie theaters for two-plus hours at a time would drain even the most avid movie fanatic, it was the different press interviews I conducted for video, audio and print that surprisingly took more time, energy and attention than I expected. So, the theme of this week's Monday Movie Meme is inspired by the 16th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival that just wrapped up on Sunday: Meet the Press!

Waiting in line for "The Girl is in Trouble" screening at the 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies where the main characters are involved with the press. These characters can either be a member of the press themselves - or - they can be in the spotlight receiving photo ops or print media attention.

Here are my selections for this weeks' Meet the Press theme.

The Pelican Brief

Denzel Washington plays a newspaper reporter who goes to great lengths to nab of the most exclusive stories he may ever cover in his career -- even if that means there will be a target on his head. Exposing the corruption and murder surrounding high ranking government officials is noble and all but there comes a time where one has to question the priorities in his career, especially if there's a chance he may not live long enough to print the story.

The main characters in "The Pelican Brief" covers both sides of this week's meme, since Julia Roberts plays the Law Student who Denzel Washington's character is depending on and also has to protect since she is his main source of information.

Any Given Sunday

Jamie Foxx plays an arrogant NFL player who claims his "Invisible Juice" renders him untouchable on the field, during an interview with a sports TV personality.

Lean on Me

Morgan Freeman plays a no-nonsense high school principal whose heated argument with the town's fire commisioner, about chains on the doors, attracts a heap of local media outlets outside the front doors of the school building. "They used to call me 'Crazy Joe." Now, they can call me 'Batman!'"

What Movies Do YOU recall featuring Press Related Scenes Surrounding the Main Characters?

Couch Fest 2012 is Now Accepting Short Film Program Hosts #indiefilm

Couch Fest, the film festival that takes place in people’s living rooms and related alternative venues is now accepting applications for Couch Fest 2012.

That means you can host your very own short film program in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a DVD and Television or screen and preferably a couch or somewhere for people to sit. Some of you may remember this film festival from the interviews that I did with Craig Downing.

The crew at Couch Fest says you can host their program of short films “at home, at work, with a community organization, at school, on a pirate boat, in a tree house, at your local theater, in a cave, as a flash mob, or wherever!” -- the festival showcases unreleased and award-winning films that come straight from the current film festival circuit from fests such as Sundance, Seattle, SXSW and Melbourne.

Celebrating its fifth year, Couch Fest Films is proud of bringing movies to people in a local and cozy atmosphere -- so proud that the festival staff say they will “get into a dirty school-yard fight” to defend every film that is accepted that you dare to bad mouth!

Last year, Couch Fest Films had hosts around the country and beyond in places such as Oman, California, Peru, Iceland, New York, London and Haiti.

For more information on how you can get involved, check out the Host Applications Page for Couch Fest 2012.

Now, tell me…

What was the last short film that YOU watched? and What was the last film festival YOU attended?