As part of the Guild's outreach efforts aimed at independent filmmakers, the DGA hosted a luncheon on September for Directors with entries in the 2011 Urbanworld Film Festival in New York.

Speaking on behalf of the Guild, Director Rose Troche (Law & Order, The L Word) addressed the filmmakers about how careers develop and explained how the DGA safeguards Directors' creative rights. Also speaking to the assembled was DGA Ethnic Diversity Steering Committee Co-Chair Daniel Cooperbey (Tick Tock, Beat the Street).

The Urbanworld Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to redefining the role of minorities in contemporary cinema and developing the urban filmmaking community. The DGA has been a sponsor of the festival since 2000.