Must-See Films at Urbanworld Film Festival

Our picks from this year's program.

Gun Hill - The Urbanworld Film Festival is set to take New York City by storm from September 18-22, and with so many great films in the lineup, prioritizing can be difficult. This year's fest, presented once again by BET Networks, boasts dozens of features, shorts and documentaries. Here's our top-10 list of must-see films. The festival's spotlight and a BET original film, Gun Hill tops our list. The drama stars Larenz Tate in a dual role as two brothers on opposite sides of the law. When one is murdered, the other assumes his identity in order to find his killer. The film is directed by Reggie Rock Blythewood, whose writing credits include Notorious and Get on the Bus. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

1 / 10

Gun Hill - The Urbanworld Film Festival is set to take New York City by storm from September 18-22, and with so many great films in the lineup, prioritizing can be difficult. This year's fest, presented once again by BET Networks, boasts dozens of features, shorts and documentaries. Here's our top-10 list of must-see films. The festival's spotlight and a BET original film, Gun Hill tops our list. The drama stars Larenz Tate in a dual role as two brothers on opposite sides of the law. When one is murdered, the other assumes his identity in order to find his killer. The film is directed by Reggie Rock Blythewood, whose writing credits include Notorious and Get on the Bus. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Baggage Claim - The Black rom-com is back in full force! Urbanworld's opening night film is an instant classic of the genre. The film stars Paula Patton as an air hostess who gives herself 30 days to find Mr. Right. If Patton isn't eye candy enough, the movie is stacked with some of the biggest heartthrobs of Black Hollywood: Derek Luke, Taye Diggs, Boris Kodjoe and Djimon Hounsou are just a few. (Photo: FOX Searchlight Pictures)

2 / 10

Baggage Claim - The Black rom-com is back in full force! Urbanworld's opening night film is an instant classic of the genre. The film stars Paula Patton as an air hostess who gives herself 30 days to find Mr. Right. If Patton isn't eye candy enough, the movie is stacked with some of the biggest heartthrobs of Black Hollywood: Derek Luke, Taye Diggs, Boris Kodjoe and Djimon Hounsou are just a few. (Photo: FOX Searchlight Pictures)

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete - This Sundance darling directed by George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) features show-stopping performances by newcomers Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon, who play friends from Brooklyn forced to navigate the big city on their own after the elder boy's mother (Jennifer Hudson) is apprehended by police.  (Photo: State Street Pictures)

3 / 10

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete - This Sundance darling directed by George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) features show-stopping performances by newcomers Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon, who play friends from Brooklyn forced to navigate the big city on their own after the elder boy's mother (Jennifer Hudson) is apprehended by police.  (Photo: State Street Pictures)

They Die By Dawn - Black cowboys may seem like something from Tarantino's imagination, but they really did exist in the Old West. This modern-day western starts with a card game and ends with a shootout, with only one survivor. The all-star ensemble includes Rosario Dawson, Isaiah Washington, Bokeem Woodbine and Erykah Badu. (Photo: Film Village Limited)

4 / 10

They Die By Dawn - Black cowboys may seem like something from Tarantino's imagination, but they really did exist in the Old West. This modern-day western starts with a card game and ends with a shootout, with only one survivor. The all-star ensemble includes Rosario Dawson, Isaiah Washington, Bokeem Woodbine and Erykah Badu. (Photo: Film Village Limited)

Finding the Funk - Celebrated filmmaker Nelson George premieres his latest documentary feature at this year's fest. Finding the Funk is an entertaining look back at the funk movement of the 1970s and how it impacted hip hop a decade later. Questlove of the Roots narrates and musicians such as Sheila E., Bootsy Collins and Mike D of the Beastie Boys appear. (Photo: Finding the Funk Productions)

5 / 10

Finding the Funk - Celebrated filmmaker Nelson George premieres his latest documentary feature at this year's fest. Finding the Funk is an entertaining look back at the funk movement of the 1970s and how it impacted hip hop a decade later. Questlove of the Roots narrates and musicians such as Sheila E., Bootsy Collins and Mike D of the Beastie Boys appear. (Photo: Finding the Funk Productions)

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An American in Hollywood - Four friends journey from New York to Los Angeles to make it in Hollywood but soon experience a rude awakening about the reality of life in the business. The Wire's J.D. Williams and Hassan Johnson star. (Photo: V-Twinz Productions)

6 / 10

An American in Hollywood - Four friends journey from New York to Los Angeles to make it in Hollywood but soon experience a rude awakening about the reality of life in the business. The Wire's J.D. Williams and Hassan Johnson star. (Photo: V-Twinz Productions)

Photo By Photo: V-Twinz Productions

Calloused Hands - This indie drama by Jesse Quinones is the coming-of-age story of a mixed-race 12-year-old boy, Josh, whose abusive stepfather and neglectful mother leave him to fend for himself. The festival favorite is loosely-based on Quinones' own childhood. (Photo: Martyna Przybysz/Wolfcub Productions)

7 / 10

Calloused Hands - This indie drama by Jesse Quinones is the coming-of-age story of a mixed-race 12-year-old boy, Josh, whose abusive stepfather and neglectful mother leave him to fend for himself. The festival favorite is loosely-based on Quinones' own childhood. (Photo: Martyna Przybysz/Wolfcub Productions)

Home Again - With immigration reform a hot topic, Home Again is a timely tale of three people deported to Jamaica despite being raised in America since infancy. The survival tale tests the character's limits and leaves the audience thinking deeply about what they would do. Tatyana Ali stars. (Photo: Hungry Eyes Film & Television)

8 / 10

Home Again - With immigration reform a hot topic, Home Again is a timely tale of three people deported to Jamaica despite being raised in America since infancy. The survival tale tests the character's limits and leaves the audience thinking deeply about what they would do. Tatyana Ali stars. (Photo: Hungry Eyes Film & Television)

The Magic City - Not to be confused with the Starz series of the same name, this film tracks two sisters fighting to avoid foster care after the sudden death of their grandmother. Like The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, it's a coming-of-age story with huge stakes.  (Photo: New Revolution Studios)

9 / 10

The Magic City - Not to be confused with the Starz series of the same name, this film tracks two sisters fighting to avoid foster care after the sudden death of their grandmother. Like The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, it's a coming-of-age story with huge stakes.  (Photo: New Revolution Studios)

The New Black - Yoruba Richen's new documentary is an in-depth look at a subject that's straight from the headlines. The film explores the impact of the LGBT rights movement on the Black community from the perspective of young people, their families, activities and clergy members.  (Photo: Promised Land Films)

10 / 10

The New Black - Yoruba Richen's new documentary is an in-depth look at a subject that's straight from the headlines. The film explores the impact of the LGBT rights movement on the Black community from the perspective of young people, their families, activities and clergy members.  (Photo: Promised Land Films)