🎬 UrbanFest 360° Film Festival — Orlando, Florida

September 18–20, 2026 | AFRO TV Complex | International Drive

Submit your film to UrbanFest 360° and connect with industry legends, emerging creators, and a global community of fearless storytellers.

🌟 2026 Special Guests & Honorees Include:

🎭 Keith David — Hollywood Icon
📺 Michael Polcino — "The Simpsons, Emmy-nominated Director/Animator
🥁 Marvin “Smitty” Smith — A Living Legend, One of the great jazz drummers
🎬 David Fortune — Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch,” 2025, Tribeca Winner
🎬 A special tribute honoring Chadwick Boseman, featuring stories from his collegiate alumni and stunt double from Black Panther and other films.

UrbanFest 360° is an international film festival celebrating bold storytelling where film, music, and culture collide.

Taking place in vibrant Orlando, Florida, UrbanFest 360° champions emerging voices and visionary creators from all backgrounds around the globe. From powerful independent cinema and documentaries to groundbreaking screenwriting and music driven storytelling, this festival is a platform for fearless artists ready to be seen and heard.

UrbanFest 360° will also feature a special tribute honoring the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, with stories from Howard alumni and crew who worked alongside him.

🎥 Selected filmmakers can expect:

🎞️ Festival Screenings
🗣️ Industry Panels & Conversations
🤝 Networking & Collaboration
🏆 Competition for the UrbanFest 360° Grand Jury Award
🏆 Big Finish Energy with an exciting Closing Night Awards Celebration.

🚀 SUBMIT NOW. 🎟️ ATTEND. 🌍 TRANSFORM THE WORLD—ONE STORY AT A TIME.
UrbanFest 360° — Where Bold Stories Take Flight.t.

Awards & Prizes

Awards and Prizes

Trophies will be presented to each Grand Jury Award winner. If a winner is unable to attend the festival in person, they may be responsible for any shipping costs associated with receiving their trophy.

In the event of a highly competitive voting process, a runner-up may be named. The Grand Jury winner will receive the official trophy, while the runner-up will be honored with a Winner’s Certificate, professionally printed on canvas.

Additionally, sponsored giveaways, such as theme park tickets, restaurant gift certificates, or similar prizes, will be awarded based on availability and the quantity provided by sponsors. Distribution will be prioritized for award recipients at the discretion of the festival organizers.

Rules & Terms

UrbanFest 360° – Selections and Awards (Official Rules and Regulations)

Official Selections will be publicly announced via press release, UrbanFest 360° social media platforms, select media outlets, and promotional materials shared by partner organizations. Selected projects will receive an UrbanFest 360° laurels to recognize their achievement.

Award winners will be chosen by an independent jury and announced during the UrbanFest 360° Awards Ceremony, held live during the 2025 festival in Orlando, Florida. Winners will also be promoted through UrbanFest 360° newsletters, social channels, and in select media and print advertisements coordinated with partner platforms.

UrbanFest 360° is committed to showcasing original, innovative work by filmmakers, screenwriters, and music producers from diverse backgrounds around the World. We celebrate bold storytelling, global urban cultures, and underrepresented voices.

All submitted projects must be the original work of the submitter or their authorized representative and must include the appropriate rights and clearances for all included content. Submissions are accepted in categories including narrative features, short films, documentaries, music videos, and screenplays. Non-English language films must include English subtitles. Projects containing unauthorized copyrighted material will be disqualified.

Screening Rights

By submitting to UrbanFest 360°, entrants grant the festival non-exclusive rights to publicly screen their project as part of the in-person festival without the payment of screening fees or royalties.

UrbanFest 360° may also broadcast its awards ceremony online through partnerships, which could include trailers or short excerpts (up to one minute) from selected projects. By submitting, your project entrants grant permission for these uses.

In addition, UrbanFest 360° may curate optional online streaming packages to make select films available to virtual audiences during the festival window. Participation in online streaming is voluntary. If a producer or authorized representative prefers not to include their project in the online streaming portion, they must notify the festival in writing via email. Opting out will not impact eligibility for selection or awards.

Terms and Final Disclaimers

By submitting, entrants acknowledge that:

- Selection decisions are made solely at the discretion of UrbanFest 360° programmers.
- Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of selection status.
- Selected works may have still images, trailers, or promotional materials used for festival marketing (including online, print, and broadcast).
- Creators are encouraged to attend and engage in panels, Q&As, and networking events as part of the festival’s professional development programming.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Levi Feeney

    One of the best experiences I have ever encountered at a film festival. Organized. Friendly. No one treated me like an outsider or nobody. The projects shown and energy of the entire community there was so fun and family oriented. I created at least four friendships from that weekend with other filmmakers that also have hired me or stay in touch. The operating officials maintain such a professional and down to earth character, it’s really a blessing to experience. The weather was awesome. Location wasn’t an issue. The award ceremonies were extremely executed in such an excellent manner. If I don’t have a film showing. I would still attend as a place to enjoy and celebrate other upcoming creatives.

    March 2026
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  • Josh Hemingway

    It was our first time at UrbanFest and we were thrilled with the turnout and dedication from attendees and staff alike. Appreciate the opportunity to be involved! Excellent communication along the way, and the awards banquet was a great time!

    October 2025
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  • Robert Hicks

    I have attended a number of festivals and this is one of the very best. Aside from a superb venue at Afro Television Studios in Orlando, it really is all about the people. The 360° team set the pace for the warm and supportive atmosphere. I was nominated in four categories, which was an exceptional honor. I was selected among a very high quality roster of artistic achievements, and was proud to be a part of this gathering. The awards ceremony itself was a big, glamorous production and loads of fun. I made lots of new friends and connections. Very worthwhile. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with this high caliber organization. Thank you Tim, Terrance, Wynda, Gabby, Linda, Clent, and many others, for your kindness and all of the hard work you do to make this film festival happen.

    October 2025
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  • MAYDECEMBER PRODUCTIONS, INC.

    UrbanFest 360 was an Outstanding Inaugural Film Festival! Every step was done with great care from the notification of being selected to Opening Night to the Award Ceremony! It was a well oiled machine! If this was the inaugural we can only imagine how phenomenal future festivals will be!
    Our film, 𝓚𝓮𝓮𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮, was honored with Best Short award and had the delight of sharing it with Parneille Walker’s LOVE IS BLIND. What a treat!
    We would highly recommend Tim Starks and the UrbanFest 360 film festival.

    October 2025
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  • Brendan Brandt

    Everyone involved with this festival, and its parent company the Global Peace Festival, was kind and inviting. I felt welcome and appreciated. The highlight of the festival was the award show, which really was a show. Live performances, montages, speeches, it was the highest production value I've ever been a part of. Having the festival at a TV Studio made for a quality product. I'll be submitting future work here for sure.

    October 2025
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