WGAE ends 12-year Urbanworld sponsorship over AI programme

The Writers Guild of America East has ended its 12-year sponsorship of the BIPOC-focused Urbanworld Film Festival, Variety reported on 30 July 2026. The withdrawal follows Urbanworld's launch of an "AI Sidebar" with the New School, featuring AI-generated films and tech demos. AI protections were central to the WGAE's 2023 strike negotiations. The festival's 30th edition runs in October. The WGAE declined to comment.