Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1484212
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 I 6 7 From October 26 - 30, the Urbanworld Film Festival returned to New York City for their 26th Anniversary. The festival was a hybrid of both live and virtual screenings showcasing narrative and documentary features, short films, music videos, and web originals. The DGA has been a sponsor of Urbanworld since 2000. As part of the Guild's outreach efforts aimed at independent filmmakers, the DGA hosted a virtual luncheon on October 28 for Directors with entries in this year's festival. Filmmakers were welcomed by DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch, who gave a brief overview of the Guild's mission to protect the creative and economic rights of directors and members of the directorial team. Hatch then introduced DGA Director-member and Urbanworld alum Malcolm D. Lee, whose pilot for the series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, was being screened at the festival. Lee spoke to the attendees about what it means to be a part of the DGA filmmaking community and the advantages of having the Guild behind you when filming. Urbanworld Programmer & Producer Ashley Mui and Head of Programming Karen McMullen, were also on hand to give tips about how to make the most of the opportunities provided by the festival. Other DGA members with projects spotlighted during the festival included Directors Elegance Bratton (The Inspection), J.D. Dillard (Devotion) and Nelson George (Say Hey, Willie Mays!). Photos: 1. Urbanworld filmmakers & staff pose for a group photo with DGA members & staff. 2. Director Malcolm D. Lee talks about the advantages of DGA membership. 3-4. Urbanworld filmmakers learn more about the Guild and enjoy the luncheon hosted by the Guild. 5. DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch addresses the participants. Indie Directors Outreach at 2022 Urbanworld Film Festival photos by Marcie Revens See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Committee Meeting Events Roundup On October 19, the Latino Committee meeting was preceded by a conversation with Director Eduardo Sánchez (Yellowjackets, Queen of the South, The Blair Witch Project). In a conversation moderated by Director Andrew Molina, Sánchez discussed his career and transitioning from independent films into episodic television. Recalling how The Blair Witch Project became a juggernaut, he said, "We were hoping for a cable deal, HBO, or a DVD sale — just enough to get enough money to pay the investors back and then maybe make another movie. Then it just started exploding and was one of the buzzier movies at Sundance. We were completely flabbergasted. The marketing kept being expanding and we were competing with these Hollywood movies. I had to keep pinching myself. It was a crazy time but we knew how special it was so we kept our minds 'this is this is never gonna happen to us again so just enjoy it and learn from it and hopefully make a career. So yeah it was just crazy time and it started our careers. I owe my career to Blair Witch so I'm very blessed to have been a part of it." A Conversation with Director Eduardo Sánchez — A Latino Committee Event See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup 3 2 4 1 Image: (Clockwise) Director Directors Eduardo Sánchez and Andrew Molina (moderator), Latino Committee Co-Chair SJ Main Muñoz and Committee Alternate Committee Co-Chair Rachel Ramist. 5