Universal Lens Film Festival

Who we are? . Blended City is a multicultural, multidisciplinary, entertainment company that serves underserved and underrepresented communities through storytelling and art that actively creates a safe space to workshop, showcase, and execute focal productions through a collaborative community in NYC. Whether it be race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, social class, etc. as a production company we want to be as inclusive as possible meaning any story being told can be told by anyone for anyone. . What is the Universal Lens Film Festival? . A cultural and artistic exchange film festival presenting short films and new media from artists that are in marginalized, underrepresented and underserved communities. All genres are encouraged. Inclusivity being a priority, the film festival will stream live from Queens, NY to provide accessibility to those who are unable to attend, so they can actively engage. The selection process will be based on a diverse panel of industry professionals with different backgrounds and experiences that will result in a well rounded list of selectees to be showcased during the festival. The festival will commence with an audience choice award ceremony. There will also be an opportunity for a talk back with the audience and the selected films with their production teams for an in depth conversation of the film/story and the experiences behind it. It will be fun, light, empowering and provide a platform for networking between artists and communities in a safe environment. . Hosted by Award Winner Advocate of Wordz and Featuring DJ Spazz. . This program was made possible by NYC City Artists Corps Grants granted to Nick Luis one of the founders of Blended City.