Must-See Movies at the 2014 Urbanworld Film Festival

Don't miss out on these standout flicks.

Beyond the Lights - Billed as the hottest ticket in Black independent cinema, the Urbanworld Film Festival is coming to New York City on September 17. With an impressive lineup of outstanding films, here is our rundown of must-see movies.Opening the festival is the gripping drama Beyond the Lights, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker and Danny Glover. Tackling the often neglected theme of depression, the film chronicles a young musician's struggles with the pressure of her newfound success. —by Moriba Cummings(Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions, LLC)

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Beyond the Lights - Billed as the hottest ticket in Black independent cinema, the Urbanworld Film Festival is coming to New York City on September 17. With an impressive lineup of outstanding films, here is our rundown of must-see movies.Opening the festival is the gripping drama Beyond the Lights, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker and Danny Glover. Tackling the often neglected theme of depression, the film chronicles a young musician's struggles with the pressure of her newfound success. —by Moriba Cummings(Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions, LLC)

Photo By Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions

Addicted - Adapted from the best-selling novel by Zane, this film, starring Tyson Beckford, Boris Kodjoe and Sharon Leal, is sure to be a crowd favorite. Dealing with the themes of desire and the dangers of irresponsibility, Addicted is the perfect example of "everything that glitters isn't gold."(Photo: Lionsgate)

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Addicted - Adapted from the best-selling novel by Zane, this film, starring Tyson Beckford, Boris Kodjoe and Sharon Leal, is sure to be a crowd favorite. Dealing with the themes of desire and the dangers of irresponsibility, Addicted is the perfect example of "everything that glitters isn't gold."(Photo: Lionsgate)

Purple Rain - The Purple One is bringing some diversity to the lineup. Taking a different production approach, this screening will take the form of a sing-along commemorating the 30th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Purple Rain - The Purple One is bringing some diversity to the lineup. Taking a different production approach, this screening will take the form of a sing-along commemorating the 30th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

Avenues - Based on a true story, this film tackles one man's personal exploration of fatherhood while simultaneously dealing with life as an ex-convict. After serving a decade-long sentence, Saul Sanchez, played by Hector Atreyu Ruiz, tries to reunite with his young daughter even though she's moved on with her life.(Photo: Bad Man's Son)

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Avenues - Based on a true story, this film tackles one man's personal exploration of fatherhood while simultaneously dealing with life as an ex-convict. After serving a decade-long sentence, Saul Sanchez, played by Hector Atreyu Ruiz, tries to reunite with his young daughter even though she's moved on with her life.(Photo: Bad Man's Son)

Habla Men - Continuing along the thread of cultural awareness, Habla Man stands as the latest offering from HBO Latino via the network's originally produced award-winning Habla series. The film insightfully explains what it means to be Latino in the United States.(Photo: HBO Latino)

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Habla Men - Continuing along the thread of cultural awareness, Habla Man stands as the latest offering from HBO Latino via the network's originally produced award-winning Habla series. The film insightfully explains what it means to be Latino in the United States.(Photo: HBO Latino)

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Sleep Dealer - This sci-fi film takes us a few years forward to near-future Mexico. After one man's journey towards the U.S./Mexico border goes awry due to a brutal attack on his family, he ends up in a strange digital factory in Mexico where he connects his body to a robot in America. Crazy stuff!(Photo: Likely Story)

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Sleep Dealer - This sci-fi film takes us a few years forward to near-future Mexico. After one man's journey towards the U.S./Mexico border goes awry due to a brutal attack on his family, he ends up in a strange digital factory in Mexico where he connects his body to a robot in America. Crazy stuff!(Photo: Likely Story)

Hating Obama - Taking social experients to the big screen, Hating Obama takes an insightful look at the hatred inficted upon President Barack Obama. The main purpose of the film is to find out whether President Obama is disliked for his policies or for his race.(Photo: Courtesy of Hating Obama)

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Hating Obama - Taking social experients to the big screen, Hating Obama takes an insightful look at the hatred inficted upon President Barack Obama. The main purpose of the film is to find out whether President Obama is disliked for his policies or for his race.(Photo: Courtesy of Hating Obama)

12 Months - Set to make its viewers stop and think, this documentary poses the question, "What would you do if you had one year to change your life... for one dollar per month?" Dubbed a doc about generosity, the project is sure to be a memorable watch.(Photo: Xplore The World)

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12 Months - Set to make its viewers stop and think, this documentary poses the question, "What would you do if you had one year to change your life... for one dollar per month?" Dubbed a doc about generosity, the project is sure to be a memorable watch.(Photo: Xplore The World)

The Hip Hop Fellow - Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder is bridging the gap between education and hip hop and The Hip Hop Fellow is taking us along for the ride. Chronicling the producer's tenure at Harvard University as he teaches his 'The Standards of Hip Hop' course and conducts research for his thesis, this documentary-style film is sure to be an inspirational watch.(Photo: Pricefilms)

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The Hip Hop Fellow - Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder is bridging the gap between education and hip hop and The Hip Hop Fellow is taking us along for the ride. Chronicling the producer's tenure at Harvard University as he teaches his 'The Standards of Hip Hop' course and conducts research for his thesis, this documentary-style film is sure to be an inspirational watch.(Photo: Pricefilms)

God Loves the Fighter - Laventille, Trinidad, is known as one of the most threatening towns in the Caribbean nation, and this film seeks to highlight what it is like to live there. The story is told in the form of a narration, with the tragic life of Charlie being the focal point.(Photo: Blue Cinamon Picture)

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God Loves the Fighter - Laventille, Trinidad, is known as one of the most threatening towns in the Caribbean nation, and this film seeks to highlight what it is like to live there. The story is told in the form of a narration, with the tragic life of Charlie being the focal point.(Photo: Blue Cinamon Picture)

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In the Morning - Love works in mysterious ways and In the Morning is here to tell you exactly how. Literally showing the inevitable rollercoaster-like feeling of love, the film charts the emotional anatomy of various relationships over the course of one day. From friendships to marriages, no dynamic is left out.(Photo: Hollywood Africans Film)

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In the Morning - Love works in mysterious ways and In the Morning is here to tell you exactly how. Literally showing the inevitable rollercoaster-like feeling of love, the film charts the emotional anatomy of various relationships over the course of one day. From friendships to marriages, no dynamic is left out.(Photo: Hollywood Africans Film)

Love Magical - Achieving your dreams may require a fair share of sacrifices, and when your ultimate aspiration is to become the next big R&B star, expect the obstacles to be pretty humbling. This film sees David Justice seek to achieve this very dream while working as a janitor to help pay for his recording sessions. This is bound to be one to see — not to mention R&B vets El Debarge and Keith Sweat have cameos.(Photo: Babywolf Productions)

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Love Magical - Achieving your dreams may require a fair share of sacrifices, and when your ultimate aspiration is to become the next big R&B star, expect the obstacles to be pretty humbling. This film sees David Justice seek to achieve this very dream while working as a janitor to help pay for his recording sessions. This is bound to be one to see — not to mention R&B vets El Debarge and Keith Sweat have cameos.(Photo: Babywolf Productions)