"Content Creators Changing the World, One Project at a Time" is the theme of the 24th Urban Mediamakers Film Festival, October 13-19, 2025. The festival is in-person and virtual with select in-person screenings and events throughout Gwinnett County, GA -- Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville -- and Atlanta. UMFF features a daily virtual space with guest speakers, sessions and content creators Q&A.

Recognizing media as a powerful tool of choice for entertaining, informing, and inspiring, this annual content creators' festival showcases international, urban independent media. We are open to all creators, and we emphasize work produced by or featuring individuals of color - African, African-American, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Latino Native American, and Pacific Islander.

The Urban Mediamakers Film Festival promotes, supports and showcases filmmakers, independent content creators and multimedia producers — animation, advertising, marketing campaigns, blog, commercials, film, music, new media, podcasts. print, television, scripts, streaming, web series and virtual reality.

Guided by past wisdom and reflecting the new and exciting generation of new technology, we are dedicated to thinking out of the traditional box as we pursue our dreams courageously.

UMFF brings an exciting and creative atmosphere that encompasses cultural diversity, with activists, content creators, artists, writers and TV/movie buffs together under one roof to meet, collaborate and strategize for world change!

Actors, artists, bloggers, content creators, filmmakers, graphic designers, mobile app developers, musicians, podcasters, producers, streamers and writers have an opportunity to gain exposure for their projects, compete for the best-of-the-best with prizes in each category, attend industry-related educational series, along with excellent collaboration and networking.

Movie buffs, content creators, independent film and mix-media supporters have the opportunity to see a diverse group of superb films and projects from creatives that are independent with a vision.

The festival includes:

-- virtual and in-person events.
-- script reading featuring a scene from the top three screenplays in competition.
-- independent film screenings in competition on our UrbanFlixToGo.com platform during the festival with an option to continue on UrbanFlixToGo.com.
-- showcase of bloggers, podcasters, and mobile app developers.
-- 9th Urban PitchFest 2025.
-- 9th AfroFuturism Fest 2025 - Black sci-fi, fantasy, horror and gaming along with international thrillers. AfroFuturism Fest includes UMFF projects competing in the AfroFuturism category, vendors, panels, comic book swapping, AfroFuturism cosplay, costume contest for cash prizes, and more.
-- 2nd Annual Gwinnett County Comic-Con with renowned comic artists and authors from around the country.
-- Videopalooza 2025 - Middle and high school competition and screening series.
-- producers/distributors seeking independent films.
-- awards presentation and closing event.
-- closing night film.
-- audience award.
-- filmmaker and writer collaboration breakout sessions (SpeedCollabs).
-- winning films will be showcased on our streaming service UrbanFlixToGo.com.

UMFF attendees have an opportunity to network with their peers and executives for collaborations on future projects, as well as interact with an audience that supports independent mediamaking.

YOUR project will make our festival phenomenal! Submit to UMF 2024 today!

Peace and blessings,
Cheryle Renee Moses
Founder and Producer

Awards & Prizes

First place winners will receive gifts, prizes, and professional services for the great work they have produced. Additionally, winners of each category will receive a certificate, sponsors/partners gifted products/services, consultation services and automatic non-exclusive distribution deal with UrbanFlixToGo.com for all festival official selections.

Rules & Terms

Urban Mediamakers Festival Rules
1. The Board of Directors of the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival and guest judges will select projects which will be presented in the competition and for screening. Each official selection will receive a Certificate of Participation.
2. Only projects that meet the following criteria may be chosen as official selections:
i) Films that have been produced during the 36 months preceding the Urban Mediamakers Festival;
ii) If participating in the “Short Film” category, films should not exceed 30 minutes in length, including credits.
iii) Official selections that are 30 minutes or shorter must be prepared to provide electronic copies of their projects for exhibition. Online preview and DVDs may be submitted for screeners.
3. Once a film has been selected it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme.
4. All non-English speaking films must be presented in their original version with English subtitles. All subtitling expenses are to be met by the film’s producer.
5. We encourage English language films to provide subtitles in Spanish for the final screened version.
6. The Board of Directors selects all members of the jury for competition and screening. Each jury member will vote by a secret ballot. No person having taken part in the production or promotion of a film in competition may be on the jury.
7. The jury is obliged to award the best project in each category: Shorty Short, Short, Music Video, Feature, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Animation, TV Series, Youth Film, College Student Short Film, Web Series, Commercial, Advertising/Marketing Campaign.
8. All projects submitted must reach the Festival office digitally by September 15, 2024.
9. If your film is selected, you will be notified on or before September 10, 2024.
10. Selected projects cannot screen in metro-Atlanta, Georgia within 90 days of the festival.
11. On being selected you must supply to us your work as an electronic file(s) via DropBox (or another service), digital/electronic copy of the film by September 15th.
12. The Festival office can provide you with further details if your project is selected.
13. Any expenses for the shipping (for both import and export), screening and translation of projects and media presented to the selection committee with a view to their possible selection, are to be met by the film’s producers or relevant body.
All expenses for the transportation and insurance of prints are also the responsibility of their owner.
14. If your project is selected for exhibit at the Festival, it is the requirement of the Festival that you put forth all effort to attend the festival, at your own travel/lodging expense to promote and support your film, and collect your award. As a participant and attendee, we will be taking video, photos, recording sessions on Zoom, and your image will be used as the Festival chooses to indefinitely in the promotion and documenting of the Festival.
15. The Festival office has the power to settle all cases not covered by the present rules and regulations.
16. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned regulations and respect of submission and screening conditions. Furthermore by completing the initial online submission form (you/ your company) agree to the Festival’s terms and rules.
96 Reviews
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  • Pamela Davis-Noland

    Exceptional Film Festival that we are honored to have been a part of. Our film "Room for Dessert" was a FINALIST in this phenomenal festival! What an honor. The coordinator, Renee was very hands on, even taking the time to answer text messages. i
    Urban Mediamakers Film Festival is hands down one of the best.

    February 2025
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  • Myeshia Babers

    I'm so grateful for my experience with UMFF as my introduction to the world of film festivals. As a first-time filmmaker and screenwriter, I found such warmth in how the festival embraced virtual participants like myself through their thoughtful online meetings and networking opportunities. The genuine sense of community I discovered here touched my heart deeply. I still get excited thinking about how my very first screenplay not only received an official selection but went on to win 2nd place as a finalist! This recognition means the world to me and has given me such beautiful encouragement to continue on my creative journey. While I couldn't be there in person, UMFF made me feel like a true part of the filmmaking family.

    December 2024
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    Response from festival:

    We are so proud of you Myeshia and your storytelling talents. Thank you for being a part of the Urban Mediamakers family and we look forward to supporting you in all of your future projects.

  • Kendrick Keener

    They really made my project feel special and the events they held were awesome!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Of course your project is special -- very special and unique to your creativity and storytelling abilities. We are so proud of you and look forward to your future projects! Thank you for being part of the Urban Mediamakers family!

  • Meegwun Fairbrother

    We were unable to attend this year, but the festival did a wonderful job keeping us up to date on the daily goings on. This is a great, supportive festival with a fantastic selection of events (that we were disappointed to miss). It is also a real honour to be included amongst such an impressive slate of projects and peers. Miigwetch UMFF!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    It is because of international content creators that we make sure we have virtual events to include all of our talented official selections. Meegwun, storytellers like yourself bridge cultures and understanding of us as humans around the world! Congratulations again on being a fabulous creative, and we are excited to have you as part of the Urban Mediamakers family!

  • Tracy Crews

    I had a great time at this festival. Networking with other filmmakers and broaden my audience reach. Thank you for the opportunity 23 Urban Mediamakers Film Festival.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    It was so good seeing you and having you as part of the 23rd Urban Mediamakers Film Festival. You have been a supporter of the festival for decades and we are so honored to have your support and your great storytelling abilities. We are proud of you Tracy and look forward to supporting you in the future! Georgia-proud!