The animated project known as The Uptown Chronicles will be planting a flag in the tristate area, as it’s been announced that the inaugural trailer for the project has been named as an early selection to the New Jersey Webfest.

This selection marks the first festival induction of the year for The Uptown Chronicles. The critically acclaimed trailer for the forthcoming movie, comic and television series had been previously selected by the 2024 iterations of the Rome Prisma Movie Awards, Oniros Film Awards, and Reims Red Movie Awards; winning Best Trailer for all three.
The Uptown Chronicles is described as “an ambitious multi-media project, encompassing cinema, television, comic books, podcasts and games.” The nearly 5-minute trailer for the project introduces viewers to a futuristic Chicago in the year 2100, where marvels such as flying cars and servant drones are a normal part of daily existence. It is in this setting that we are introduced to the Hamilton family. Led by scientist father Andre and guardian mother Maya, their 5 children – gifted chef Tasha, bookish introvert Sienna, slacker son Ty, and prodigies Jordan and Keira – learn from their parents about their destinies as the last descendants of an ancient magical order tasked with maintaining balance in the world. When a mysterious threat in the form of a giant robot called Neocron appears, the children awaken their powers of super strength, telekinesis, speed, and technological manipulation to face this devastating foe. The trailer can be viewed at the link below.
The Uptown Chronicles is created by Steven Goard, who also voices the lead character of Andre Hamilton. The upcoming film, series, and comic book are written by award winning multi-hyphenate Alonge Hawes, who also co-directs and co-executive produces alongside Goard. Art design is commissioned by Patrick King with animation provided by Dom Fred Films. The project features the vocal talents of Jasmin Richardson, who voices matriarch Maya. Major Attaway, who plays the villainous Victor Hyde. Maria Katre, who voices Tasha. Zane “Lil Zane” Copeland, who voices Ty. Shani Hawes, who voices Sienna. Mina Kraynak, who voices Keira. Arinze, who voices Jordan. And Jason C. Louder, who voices Tariq Lattimore. Goard produces through SDG Productions whilst Hawes produces through A Million Stories One Pen Productions. Jason C. Louder and Joshua Dennard also serve as producers.
The New Jersey Web Festival, created and run by Neem Basha, launched in 2018 and has since become one of the biggest, most prestigious, and respected film festivals dedicated to supporting and honoring independent film makers in web and podcast mediums. In addition to digital series and podcasts, the New Jersey Web Festival also works to highlight pilots, scripts, trailers and music videos from independent creators nationwide and abroad. It is ranked as one of FilmFreeway’s best reviewed festivals and networking mixers. The festival’s long-standing adage is that “Quality Is the Only Criteria: We Want ToShowcase The Very Best.”
The New Jersey Web Festival will take place September 25-28th, with special screenings of official selections being held at the Clairidge Movie Theater in Montclair, New Jersey.
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