(NEW YORK) September 16, 2011 -  The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET Networks kicked off last night in NYC with the Opening Night world premiere of Nelson George and Diane Paragas' documentary Brooklyn Boheme. Stars such as Chris Rock, Spike Lee, festival ambassador Mario Van Peebles, Maxwell, Giancarlo Esposito and John Boyega (who's filming a movie with Spike) came out in support of the film many describe as a "love letter to Brooklyn."

"We're very excited to be premiering this film at Urbanworld," said George. "Hopefully, the exposure we're receiving at this festival will create opportunities for us to bring 'Brooklyn Boheme' to the rest of the world."

Additional celebs/VIPs in attendance included BET's Stephen Hill, Basketball Wives' Meeka Claxton, radio personality Egypt Sherrod, culture critic Michaela Angela Davis, stylist/entrepreneur Marlo Hampton, actor Hassan Johnson, director Qasim Basir and The Start of Dreams directors The Horne Brothers.

Urbanworld continues through Sunday 9/18 with appearances by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, Tyrese, Jamie Hector, Valerie Simpson, Sonia Sanchez, Tami Roman, Chad Coleman, Nashawn Kearse and more. Visit www.urbanworld.org for more information.

Photos: Jerome Shaw