“Night Catches Us” is going to be released on February 1, 2011 and is available for pre-order on DVD for $19.99 or Blu-ray for $21.99 at Amazon.

The trailer for “Night Catches Us” has been released – the film will be released on December 3, 2010.

I have added some production stills and posters (mostly in HQ) from three of Kerry’s recent films; “Mother and Child”, “Night Catches Us” and “For Colored Girls”.

Actress Kerry Washington has had a varied career in Hollywood, appearing in such film as the Chris Rock comedy “I Think I Love My Wife,” the drama “The Last King of Scotland” and the superhero movie “Fantastic Four.”

This weekend, she’s taken on a new role as the “festival ambassador” for the 14th annual Urbanworld Film Festival, an event held in New York City dedicated to promoting multicultural cinema. She also attended the festival premiere of her new film “Night Catches Us,” a drama from first-time director Tanya Hamilton.

Speakeasy talked to Washington about the festival and her new movie.

Speakeasy: What is Urbanworld about?

I think that film is really the dominant way that we tell stories now. It’s important to me that everyone has a seat at the table when it comes to storytelling. That everybody is allowed to see themselves on the screen and experience everyone else’s culture. Urbanworld is a festival that allows that to happen—it supports independent filmmakers of color, urban filmmakers, filmmakers that are telling stories that may not be told by studio heads and people in the mainstream.

Your new film “Night Catches Us” is a period piece that involves the Black Panthers. What drew you to this script?

I was intrigued by idea that here was a piece that took place within the context of the Black Panther party, but it was not a film about what we normally think about the Black Panthers. It’s not a film filled with stereotypical imagery. It goes beyond the imagery to tell a story of real human beings who are dealing with real human issues. So it’s not just Afros and machine guns and black fists. It’s about two people—my character and [co-star] Anthony Mackie’s character—who are trying to make sense of their lives 10 years after being involved in the movement. Those are universal issues we’re all dealing with: how do you make peace with the past?

What was it like working with Tanya Hamilton?

She’s really fun, she’s been developing the film for many years. It was nice to be part of the process that helped make it happen. It was exciting to be part of her first film.

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Actress Kerry Washington is poised to own this year’s 14th annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks. Not only will she serve as the festival’s ambassador, but she plays the lead in Tanya Hamilton’s “Night Catches Us,” which is slated to open the festival, that runs from September 16 to 19 in NYC. The world premiere of Ava DuVernay’s “I Will Follow,” will close the festival.

This year will see Urbanworld screen a total of 71 films, 22 of which will be making their world premieres. Highlights in the lineup include Nadil Elderkin’s “Bouncing Cats,” narrated by rapper/actor Common with Mos Def and Black Eyed Pea will.i.am; Qasim Basir’s “Mooz-lum,” starring Danny Glover and Nia Long; and Madeleine Sackler’s “The Lottery,” which explores the reasons behind the failures of the American public school system.

“This year’s program is rooted in our original mission: to shine a light on films and filmmakers whose artistic excellence is too often overlooked elsewhere,” said Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld. “Through our partnership with BET, we are thrilled to introduce more than 20 world premieres in a true celebration of bright, bold multicultural filmmaking.”

In addition to the screenings, the festival will present the work of five Urbanworld Screenplay Competition finalists in live readings. Finalists include “Bag Ladies,” written by Tai Nelson; “Gracey,” written by Julian Breece; “Jean of the Joneses,” written by Alison Meghie; “Knife to a Gunfight,” written by Gemal Woods and “Osvaldo’s” written by Randy Wilkins.

From Indie Wire