Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood will serve as ambassadors of the 30th annual Urbanworld Film Festival, which runs Oct. 14-18 in New York City. The announcement marks a return for the married filmmaking duo, who have a long history with the festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As ambassadors, the Bythewoods will give audiences an inside look at their personal and creative journeys during special programming events at The New School, Urbanworld’s Innovation Summit partner, the outlet reported.
A long history with the Urbanworld Film Festival
Prince-Bythewood screened her adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees at Urbanworld in 2008, and the 2014 festival opened with her romance drama Beyond the Lights, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Reggie Rock Bythewood brought ESPN’s 30 for 30 episode “One Night in Vegas” to the festival in 2010 and the BET TV movie Gun Hill in 2013. The pair also attended Urbanworld in 2023 to support NatGeo’s Genius: MLK/X.
“Urbanworld has been a consistent touchstone for filmmakers to bring our stories, connect with our community and support the next generation, and it has always felt like home for us,” the couple said in a joint statement reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re honored to return as festival ambassadors to celebrate 30 years of Urbanworld while sharing what’s next. Art over fear.”
Children of Blood and Bone spotlight planned
The festival will feature a spotlight moment highlighting Prince-Bythewood’s upcoming adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, ahead of its Jan. 15, 2027 release. The spotlight will take place at Regal Union Square, Urbanworld’s host theater, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What festival leaders are saying
Urbanworld festival director Verona Cesair Jones praised the couple’s selection as ambassadors in a news release cited by The Hollywood Reporter. “Gina and Reggie represent the caliber of artists and storytellers we want to celebrate at Urbanworld,” Jones said. “Their work, leadership and commitment to storytelling have made an undeniable impact on our industry. As I begin my first year leading the festival and Urbanworld celebrates 30 years, we’re proud to honor them as our festival ambassadors and give them their flowers.”
Urbanworld founder Stacy Spikes, who launched the festival in 1997 as a platform for established and emerging multicultural storytellers, echoed that sentiment. “Gina and Reggie have been part of the Urbanworld story for many years, and having them return together as festival ambassadors is a powerful way to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” Spikes said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Urbanworld has always been about creating a platform for artists to tell their stories, build community, and open doors for those coming behind them. Gina and Reggie embody that spirit, and we’re proud to celebrate them as we look toward Urbanworld’s next 30 years.”
What’s next for the Urbanworld Film Festival
The 30th Urbanworld Film Festival runs Oct. 14-18 in New York City, with programming at The New School and the Children of Blood and Bone spotlight set for Regal Union Square. Prince-Bythewood’s film adaptation arrives in theaters Jan. 15, 2027. Attendees can find more details at Urbanworld’s official site.
Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter contributed to this story.
