The Urban Film Festival (UFF) is a premier three-day event held every Labor Day weekend, celebrating culturally driven stories and empowering the next generation of filmmakers with education, exposure, and distribution opportunities. As the largest free urban film festival in the U.S., UFF showcases official selection screenings, engaging workshops, and industry discussions, all at no cost to attendees. It’s also a space to network, strengthen your film community, and build lasting industry connections.

Hosted across Historic Overtown and Downtown Miami, UFF doubles as the ultimate business-vacation destination, where great networking meets unforgettable parties in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

Awards & Prizes

Winners of the Urban Film Festival 2025

Best Purpose-Driven Film in Honor of Jeff Legitime: CYCLE

Best New Filmmaker Award in Honor of John Singleton: For Sale & Shelle

Best International Narrative Short: Fall

Best International Documentary Feature: Sgt Stubby - An Unlikely Hero

Best International Film: House of Terror

Best Documentary Short Film: A film called black: King's Speech

Best Documentary Feature Film: Cycle

Best Culture-Driven Documentary: Immigreat

Best Short Film: Return to Office

Best Local Short Film: Project Penelope

Best Local Urban Short Film: Young Kingdom

Best Comedy Short Film: Delusionally, ari

Best Drama Short Film: For Sale

Best Thriller Short Film: Dante's Inferno - The Ascension

Best Experimental Short Film: The Greatest Dance Ever

Best National Short Film: I LOVE THIS ARRANGEMENT

Best Urban Feature Film: Return of the Mack

Best Feature Film: SR

Best Local Feature Film: Ballin

Best Family Film: Paw Paw & Dayja

Best Local Documentary Film: Cairi Land No Land & Interstate

Best Urban Documentary: Miami King Pins

Best Local Web Series: So'Flo the Series

Best International Short Film: Fall

The Most Screened Filmmaker of the Year: Mark Reed

Best Music Video: 80s RAD

Most Creative Music Video: Loteria

Best Web Series: Smiling with a Stranger

Rules & Terms

To be considered, every film must include:

Downloadable Film File (required for festival and UDS.TV streaming)

Poster Artwork + YouTube Trailer Link

Detailed Synopsis

Contact Info (email, phone, Instagram, Facebook)

General Rules

Submissions via secure online screeners only (no DVDs, CDs, or Blu-rays).

Non-English films must have English subtitles or dubbing.

Must be the final cut or include a title card for works-in-progress.

Filmmakers must hold all rights & clearances for public exhibition.

If Selected

Confirm participation by the deadline.

Provide:

Final exhibition copy (with English captions)

Updated screener link, trailer, stills, press kit

Sign agreement for festival inclusion & UDS.TV streaming.

Additional Notes

Submission fees are nonrefundable.

The festival does not cover travel or screening fees.

Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory to screen.

Attendance is mandatory to be eligible for awards.

By submitting, you agree to all Urban Film Festival rules and terms, including streaming on UDS.TV.

111 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mark Reed

    Grateful for another great experience at the Urban Film Festival. This was my second year attending, and being awarded Most Screened Filmmaker of the Year—along with having multiple films screened and nominated—was truly an honor. Thank you to the organizers for continuing to support and celebrate independent filmmakers.

    December 2025
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  • Macy Jahoda

    We had the privilege of screening “(Almost) A Star” at Urban Film Festival in August 2026. It was an honor to attend as a “selected” filmmaker. Great energy and amazing people. Congratulations to all the filmmakers that were also selected. See you next time!

    November 2025
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  • Carmina Cordelia

    I’m very honoured that my short film Soul Tide was selected and screened at the Urban Film Festival. Even from afar, I could feel the festival’s vibrant energy and dedication to celebrating culturally driven stories. It’s an honour to have Soul Tide featured in a festival that empowers filmmakers and showcases such a diverse and inspiring range of voices.

    October 2025
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  • Alina Avila Ko

    Marco and his colleagues are exceptional communicators. The festival was an outstanding networking event and celebration of local communities- vibrant and diverse.

    September 2025
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  • Rafia Ansari

    It was amazing !!! I am so grateful for the experience. I learned so much knowledge about taking my film to the next level. So many prestigious people that spoke about their experience as filmmakers. I wanted to be at every workshop yet there were too many to count!
    It felt like a big family everyone was so welcoming. I left believing in my work even more. I just want to say thank you for allowing me to submit my film even at the last minute ! You have gained a forever supporter! I wish it didn’t have to end surely looking forward to next year !

    September 2025
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