get your tickets to the AfroFuturism Festival 2025

AFROFUTURISM 2025 - October 18, 2025 | Norcross Cultural Arts Center

AfroFuturism -- Black sci-fi, horror and fantasy -- is a movement that the Urban Mediamakers organization has joined. A consortium of content creators who use new technology to create a multitude of interactive projects, the organization gives urban creatives an opportunity to showcase their artistry as they tell stories of their communities, compete with peers, hone their skills through educational series and interact with public supporters of media excellence. The Urban Mediamakers bring a mixed bag of media projects representing AfroFuturism.

Join us for the 9th annual AfroFuturism Festival, a celebration of Black sci-fi, fantasy, and horror across films, art, books, comics, and gaming — with virtual and in-person events.

GWINNETT COMIC CON 2025 - October 18, 2025 | Norcross Cultural Arts Center

As dual programming, the Gwinnett Comic Con returns bigger and bolder — celebrating the art, stories, and vision of today’s leading comic creators. Led by Ambassador Greg Burnham, acclaimed writer and co-creator of Tuskegee Heirs and Search for Sadiqah, this year’s Comic Con puts Afrofuturist storytelling at the center of the action.

AfroFuturism Fest | Black Sci-fi, Horror and Fantasy | Gwinnett Comic Con | $10; Youth 12 and under free | Register now!

Bring the family and enjoy good fun with content creators!

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2025 | Noon - 10:00PM
WHERE: Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center | 10 College St., Norcross, GA 30071

WHAT: 9th AfroFuturism Fest presented by the 24th Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF):

• UMFF 2025 Films Streaming 24/7 on UrbanFlixToGo.com SPOTLIGHT
• UMFF In-Person screenings with Q&As | Noon - 6p
• UMFF 2025 Guest Speaker - In-Person and Virtual - Content Creators Zoom Space
• Gwinnett Comic Con: Led by festival ambassador Greg Burnham + guest artists, cosplay contest, vendor marketplace
• Afrofuturism Fest with festival ambassador Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, MPH — author of A Queen’s Birth Story; conversation on Black maternal health, healing and futurism
• Young Urban Mediamakers Showcase: Youth films and projects
• Design & Film 24-Hour CreateAthon – Adobe vs. Canva and Other Competitors continues
• Content Creators Workshops | 10a - 4p
• Halloween and Afrofuturism Costume Contest | Youth, Teens and Adult competition for prizes to the top five and first-place cash! | 6p
• AfroFuturism Night Feature Film Screening - 8p

ADMISSION: $10 - Adults | Youth 12 under FREE.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: https://collections.humanitix.com/urban-mediamakers

UMFF 2025 Ambassadors

Afrofuturism Ambassador – Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, MPH

Jennifer Rutledge Pettie is a maternal near-miss survivor — meaning she survived a life-threatening complication during childbirth that nearly claimed her life. Walking through that threshold of mortality reshaped her vision of legacy, resilience, and survival. Out of that experience came her powerful Afrofuturism book, A Queen’s Birth Story, where she reimagines healing, resilience, and future worlds through the lens of Black women’s stories.

A Queen’s Birth Story is not just literature — it is testimony, blending lived trauma with visionary creativity to show how Black women can harness imagination as a tool for restoration and empowerment. By rooting her futurist storytelling in personal survival, Jennifer creates worlds where healing is central, resilience is honored, and communities thrive beyond the boundaries of systemic limitations.

Beyond her writing, Jennifer brings her expertise as a public health executive to her ambassadorship, merging data-driven health insights with cultural imagination. She stands at the intersection of wellness and futurism, making her a dynamic leader whose storytelling bridges ancestral wisdom, present-day realities, and bold visions of tomorrow. As Afrofuturism Ambassador, she embodies the spirit of transformation — turning personal survival into collective inspiration for future generations.

Comic Con Ambassador – Greg Burnham

Greg Burnham is an acclaimed comic book writer, publisher, and educator best known as the co-creator of the groundbreaking series Tuskegee Heirs and Search for Sadiqah. His work brings history, culture, and futuristic imagination together, inspiring readers of all ages to see themselves reflected in heroic and visionary stories. With a commitment to elevating Black voices in the comic industry, Greg has built a national following for his ability to weave powerful narratives that merge Afrofuturism, action, and cultural pride.

As Ambassador of the 2nd Gwinnett Comic Con, Greg not only leads the celebration but also shines a spotlight on powerhouse creators whose artistry embodies the heart of Afrofuturism. Under his leadership, this year’s Comic Con features panels, workshops, and a creator marketplace that amplifies diverse voices, inspires the next generation of storytellers, and expands the boundaries of what Black sci-fi, fantasy, and comics can be.

Get your tickets today and bring your family. All youth must be accompanied by an adult.

AfroFuturism Fest | Black Sci-fi, Horror and Fantasy | Gwinnett Comic Con | Admission: $10; Youth 12 and under free | Register now!

Note: This schedule may change without notice.

AfroFuturism FesT and gwinnett comic con 2025 Tickets