African-American Films at 2013 Sundance Film Festival

Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson star in festival films.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete - The best of the upcoming indie film circuit is always revealed at the yearly Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Check out BET.com's standout picks from this year's selections.This is the story of an abandoned 14-year-old and 9-year-old, who must fend for themselves in the tough streets of Brooklyn. They search for food, dodge protective services and try to survive housing project life. Executive produced by Alicia Keys and directed by George Tillman Jr. (Notorious), the all-star cast includes Jennifer Hudson, Anthony Mackie, Jeffrey Wright, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jordin Sparks.(Photo: State Street Pictures)

1 / 11

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete - The best of the upcoming indie film circuit is always revealed at the yearly Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Check out BET.com's standout picks from this year's selections.This is the story of an abandoned 14-year-old and 9-year-old, who must fend for themselves in the tough streets of Brooklyn. They search for food, dodge protective services and try to survive housing project life. Executive produced by Alicia Keys and directed by George Tillman Jr. (Notorious), the all-star cast includes Jennifer Hudson, Anthony Mackie, Jeffrey Wright, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jordin Sparks.(Photo: State Street Pictures)

Ain't Them Bodies Saints - A young outlaw couple's lives change forever when one of them takes the fall for the other's crimes. They must tackle parenthood, loss and more all in a search for a peaceful life. The film stars Nate Parker, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.(Photo: Evolution Independent Pictures)

2 / 11

Ain't Them Bodies Saints - A young outlaw couple's lives change forever when one of them takes the fall for the other's crimes. They must tackle parenthood, loss and more all in a search for a peaceful life. The film stars Nate Parker, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.(Photo: Evolution Independent Pictures)

He Was the First Choice to Play Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station - Director Ryan Coogler couldn't picture anyone else playing Bay Area youth Oscar Grant than Jordan. Luckily, he didn't have to. The actor signed on to the film immediately after reading the script and even spent a month in Fruitvale, CA, before filming began to prepare for the role. "Ryan is an amazing leader," Jordan said of his director, adding that the two plan to collaborate again.  (Photo: The Weinstein Company)

3 / 11

Fruitvale - This dramatic film is based on the real-life story of Oscar Grant. He was a 22-year Bay Area resident and father who was gunned down by BART officers in 2009 on New Year's at the Fruitvale subway stop. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer.(Photo: Forest Whitaker's Significant Productions)

American Promise - Two filmmakers take on the daunting task of following the friendship between their two sons. The movie chronicles the boys' lives from kindergarten at the prestigous Dalton School over the course of twelve years.  (Photo: Rada Film Group)

4 / 11

American Promise - Two filmmakers take on the daunting task of following the friendship between their two sons. The movie chronicles the boys' lives from kindergarten at the prestigous Dalton School over the course of twelve years. (Photo: Rada Film Group)

God Loves Uganda - The controversial subject of the missionary movement in Uganda is chronicled in this documentary. Evangelical Christians and pastors battle to win the soul of a continent as they eradicate the alleged sins of its people in the most extreme ways.   (Photo: Full Credit Productions)

5 / 11

God Loves Uganda - The controversial subject of the missionary movement in Uganda is chronicled in this documentary. Evangelical Christians and pastors battle to win the soul of a continent as they eradicate the alleged sins of its people in the most extreme ways.  (Photo: Full Credit Productions)

ADVERTISEMENT
Fire in the Blood - The battle over antiretroviral drugs used to treat AIDS is given a close up in this documentary. In one corner are the pharmaceutical companies providing drugs for a hefty pricetag. In the other corner, the low cost generic drugs manufactured in India that are used to save the masses.  (Photo: Dartmouth Films UK)

6 / 11

Fire in the Blood - The battle over antiretroviral drugs used to treat AIDS is given a close up in this documentary. In one corner are the pharmaceutical companies providing drugs for a hefty pricetag. In the other corner, the low cost generic drugs manufactured in India that are used to save the masses. (Photo: Dartmouth Films UK)

Milkshake - Al Jolson's great-great grandson, Jolie Jolson, hopes to get an unattainable dream. The youth wants to be as popular as the cool kids in the projects and a gangsta like his friend. This dark comedy explores the issues of teen sex and racial identity.   (Photo: Sundance)

7 / 11

Milkshake - Al Jolson's great-great grandson, Jolie Jolson, hopes to get an unattainable dream. The youth wants to be as popular as the cool kids in the projects and a gangsta like his friend. This dark comedy explores the issues of teen sex and racial identity. (Photo: Sundance)

Newlyweeds: September 18 - This urban coupledom romance plays out like a Spike Lee joint meets the comedy series Louie. Set in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, it follows the lives of a weed-smoking couple whose insatiable cannibus habit is so intense it turns their relationship into a love triangle gone wrong.  (Photo: Shaka King Productions)

8 / 11

Newlyweeds - A couple's stoner existance and love for weed make them rexamine their lifestyle. This dramatic feature tells the story of how their aimless days and poor lapses in judgment cause their lives to escalate out of control. (Photo: Shaka King Productions)

Photo By Photo: Shaka King Productions

ANITA - This documentary explores Anita Hill's 1991 groundbreaking testimony and its aftermath. When the law professor testified before a Senate Committee about the lewd behavior of the then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas she forever changed the sexist power and racial dynamics in America. Anita features new interviews with Hill plus archival footage.   (Photo: Sundance)

9 / 11

ANITA - This documentary explores Anita Hill's 1991 groundbreaking testimony and its aftermath. When the law professor testified before a Senate Committee about the lewd behavior of the then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas she forever changed the sexist power and racial dynamics in America. Anita features new interviews with Hill plus archival footage.   (Photo: Sundance)

Photo By Photo: Sundance

Em-bed.de/d and Augmented Real - Rap artist Yung Jake has reimagined the hip hop game by spouting flowing lyrics about tweet culture, datamoshing, hashtags and memes. Now the rapper is the rage of Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and Instagram, thanks in part to his abillity to drop into browser sessions and stream into festival screenings.  (Photo: Sundance)

10 / 11

Em-bed.de/d and Augmented Real - Rap artist Yung Jake has reimagined the hip hop game by spouting flowing lyrics about tweet culture, datamoshing, hashtags and memes. Now the rapper is the rage of Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and Instagram, thanks in part to his abillity to drop into browser sessions and stream into festival screenings. (Photo: Sundance)

Gideon's Army - This documentary chronicles the public defender in America. It takes a closer look at three lawyers who benefit from the landmark Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright, which granted all defendants facing prison a right to a lawyer.  (Photo: HBO Documentary Films)

11 / 11

Gideon's Army - This documentary chronicles the public defender in America. It takes a closer look at three lawyers who benefit from the landmark Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright, which granted all defendants facing prison a right to a lawyer. (Photo: HBO Documentary Films)