Festival:
The 22nd annual Urbanworld Film Festival
Dates:
September 19-23
About:
Just seven documentaries appear among the 25 features presented at the long-running NYC event, which celebrates work by African American and multicultural filmmakers.
UNITED SKATES
The festival’s Spotlights include two docs: Rudy Valdez’s Sundance winning THE SENTENCE, a personal portrait of the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing laws; and Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s Tribeca-debuting UNITED SKATES, which explores the pivotal role roller rinks have played within African American communities.
21 AND DONE
Remaining nonfiction includes Melissa Haizlip and Sam Pollard’s MR SOUL!, on a pioneering African-American PBS variety show and its host; Katie Galloway and Dawn Valdez’s THE PUSHOUTS, about a man’s mission to re-engage at risk students; Max Powers’ DON’T BE NICE, which follows the Bowery Slam Poetry Team as they prepare for the national championships; Kiara C Jones’ 21 AND DONE, about the plight of individuals who age out of the foster care system; and Renae Bluitt’s SHE DID THAT, profiling successful African-American businesswomen.
what (not) to doc 