Festival start: 19 September 2026
Festival end: 20 September 2026
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.
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 2026 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.
Best Performance (Actress)
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
If nominated: The Curating team will determnine what Actress in the film gave the Best Performance, regardless if they are starring or in a suppoirting role. If you already submitted in another category and wish to be included in this category, please send an email and we will send you a waiver voucher so you can submit your talent in this category.
Best Performance (Actor)
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
If nominated: The Curating team will determnine what Actress in the film gave the Best Performance, regardless if they are starring or in a suppoirting role. If you already submitted in another category and wish to be included in this category, please send an email and we will send you a waiver voucher so you can submit your talent in this category.
Best Set Design
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late30$27.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Best Screenplay
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early40$36.8$
10 Apr 26
Standard45$41.4$
07 Jul 26
Late55$50.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
3.2$
Submit
Best Second Look Film (2010- 2020)
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
10 Apr 26
Standard30$27.6$
07 Jul 26
Late40$36.8$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2$
Submit
This can be any short film, doc or short doc completed in the last decade 2010- 2020. Blow off the dust on the DVD, VHS, or something you just never got a chance to submit before. But make sure it's at the best resolution and screen ready.
Best Episodic or Web Series
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
10 Apr 26
Standard30$27.6$
07 Jul 26
Late40$36.8$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2$
Submit
Best Song
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late30$27.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Best Director
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
10 Apr 26
Standard25$23$
07 Jul 26
Late25$23$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2$
Submit
If nominated: The Curating team will determnine what Actor in the film gave the Best Performance, regardless if they are starring or in a suppoirting role. If you already submitted in another category and wish to be included in this category, please send an email and we will send you a 75% Off voucher so you can submit your talent in this category.
Best Sports Documentary
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
10 Apr 26
Standard30$27.6$
07 Jul 26
Late45$41.4$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2$
Submit
Best Music Video
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard25$23$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Best Social Impact Film
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
10 Apr 26
Standard40$36.8$
07 Jul 26
Late55$50.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2.8$
Submit
Best Documentary
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
10 Apr 26
Standard40$36.8$
07 Jul 26
Late55$50.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2.8$
Submit
Best Short Documentary (30 minutes and under)
Short Films 30'<
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
10 Apr 26
Standard30$27.6$
07 Jul 26
Late55$50.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2$
Submit
Best Feature Film
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
10 Apr 26
Standard40$36.8$
07 Jul 26
Late55$50.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
2.8$
Submit
Best Vertical Short Film (9:16)
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Category: Best Vertical Short Film (9:16) UrbanFest 360° proudly introduces Best Vertical Short Film (9:16) to celebrate the exciting new wave of mobile-first cinematic storytelling created for today’s digital platforms. ilms must be created in a vertical (portrait) 9:16 aspect ratio. Submissions should be designed for mobile-first viewing, such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or other vertical platforms. Films may be narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, or music-driven, as long as they are presented in true vertical format.
Best Short Film
Short Films 30'<
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard25$23$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Best Short Short Film (10 minutes and under)
Short Films 10'<
Fee-8%
Early15$13.8$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late30$27.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.2$
Submit
Best Animation
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard25$23$
07 Jul 26
Late35$32.2$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Best Student Film
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
Early20$18.4$
10 Apr 26
Standard20$18.4$
07 Jul 26
Late30$27.6$
27 Jul 26
Submissions deadline
27 Jul 26
Save up
1.6$
Submit
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 