The free three-day festival connects filmmakers, audiences, and entertainment industry professionals through screenings, Master Discussions, distribution opportunities, and career-building connections. The Urban Film Festival (UFF) returns September 4 – 6, 2026 marking its 11th year of bringing together independent filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences for a free weekend of film, education and connection throughout Historic Overtown and Downtown Miami. Festival information and free registration are available at urbanfilmfestival26.eventive.org/welcome.
Presented by Florida Film House International, UFF will showcase nearly 200 independent films from local, national, and international filmmakers, along with Master Discussions, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and professional development and networking opportunities to help creatives build careers and advance their projects.
The festival opens Friday, September 4, at the Overtown Performing Arts Center (OPAC) with films by students in Florida Film House International’s 1st Take Youth Film Program, highlighting the organization’s year-round commitment to developing the next generation of filmmakers.
Opening night continues with the signature Welcome to Miami Party at Red Rooster Overtown, where filmmakers, industry professionals and guests will gather for an evening rooted in the neighborhood’s culture, cuisine and music.
From Reel to Revenue: Creating Pathways Beyond the Screening
This year, UFF is expanding its focus on what happens after the screening through a new collaboration with VURT, which connects filmmakers with a distribution and monetization platform that seeks a broad range of premium content.
VURT is creating opportunities for creators across formats, including vertical series, feature films, documentaries, docuseries, comedy specials, podcasts, and other original programming. Through this collaboration, VURT will review selected UFF projects ahead of the festival and meet directly with filmmakers whose work may align with the platform’s growing content strategy.
“For 11 years, we’ve worked to ensure that filmmakers don’t just get a screen; they get access,” said Marco “Mall” Molinet, founder of Florida Film House International and the Urban Film Festival. “The industry is changing rapidly, and independent filmmakers need relationships, information, and opportunities to advance their work. We want UFF to be a place where a screening can lead to what comes next.”
VURT executives will also lead “VURT Presents at UFF: From Content to Commerce Distribution, Monetization & the Future of Storytelling,” a Master Discussion exploring how creators can build audiences, navigate emerging distribution models, and monetize premium content across formats and platforms.
“We built VURT because we believe creative people deserve to be great at their craft and to make real money from it, not one or the other,” said Ted Lucas, VURT co-founder and founder of Slip-N-Slide Records.
The conversation continues on Sunday with “From Reel to Revenue: Mastering Film Distribution,” featuring a VURT representative and other industry voices who discuss the evolving distribution landscape, monetization strategies, and opportunities for independent filmmakers to take their work beyond the festival circuit and into the marketplace.
On Saturday and Sunday, UFF takes over Silverspot Cinema in Downtown Miami for screenings and two days of Master Discussions covering writing, acting, cinematography, directing, producing, faith and film, women shaping the future of film, the state of the industry, distribution, emerging storytelling formats, and smart filmmaking.
Featured speakers include Shaun Mathis, Ulysses Terrero, Dennis L.A. White, Philly Fly Boy, Angel Barroeta, Yonel Aris, Julian Boothe, Peter Ebanks, Rich Blakk, Mari Carmen Lopez, Miasha Coleman, Dr. Regina Okirike, Alexis Garcia, Marco “Mall” Molinet, and Luc Stephen, as well as executives from VURT and MegaMind Media and other industry guests.
“The Urban Film Festival celebrates film, but it also celebrates the community that has been part of its story from the beginning,” said Bla G., cofounder of Florida Film House International and the Urban Film Festival. “Bringing filmmakers and visitors to Historic Overtown lets us share its history, culture, businesses, and people, while connecting Miami with storytellers from around the world.”
The weekend will also feature filmmaker Q&A sessions and opportunities for attendees to connect directly with filmmakers, producers, executives, and other entertainment industry professionals.
With programming spanning Historic Overtown and Downtown Miami, UFF highlights Historic Overtown’s longstanding role in South Florida’s cultural history and strengthens Miami’s standing as a destination for independent film and creative talent.
Urban Film Festival screenings, Master Discussions, and educational programming are free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged because seating for select programs is limited.
About Florida Film House International
Florida Film House International is a nonprofit dedicated to developing emerging filmmakers through education, mentorship, workforce development, and community engagement. Through the Urban Film Festival and the 1st Take Youth Film Program, the organization provides young people and independent creatives with training, industry knowledge, and opportunities to advance their work.
Visit urbanfilmfestivals.com for more information.