If you think XL FEST is ‘just another festival’ you haven’t been paying attention. From August 14–23, Chicago becomes the center of gravity for a new class of storytelling innovation—and yes, deals will be made.
Founded by the multi-hyphenate creator Troy Pryor under his Creative Cypher banner, XL FEST has quickly evolved into something more akin to a cultural marketplace-meets-creative summit than your typical popcorn-and-panels affair. This year, Pryor brings heavyweight muscle with TateMen Entertainment—yes, those Tate brothers: Larenz, Lahmard, and Laron—joining as strategic partners.
Expect big vibes and even bigger moments. The festival kicks off with a rooftop screening under the stars, rides the wave through a week of youth programs with the Obama Foundation, health and wellness talks, indie premieres, and wraps up with a celebrity-packed brunch honoring George Tillman and Bob Teitel—two legends who helped immortalize Chicago on screen through Soul Food.
Highlights
- Director Malcolm D. Lee introduces his hotly-anticipated book The Best Man: Unfinished Business
- KevOnStage shares how he flipped viral content into an empire
- Streamers are pulling up ready to license content right out the gate (some of last year’s picks are already award winners)
- XL’s Content Lab continues its breakout streak—now partnered with Kickstarter to boost funding for the next wave. With past alums like Captain Zero (Tribeca pick via Whoopi Goldberg) and GO (Viola Davis-backed), the Lab is quickly becoming a pipeline, not a workshop.
And let’s not ignore the vibe. The week-long celebration pulses through Chicago’s most iconic venues: David Rubenstein Forum, Hyde Park Labs, Rooftop Cinema Club, DuSable Museum, Harper Theater, and more. XL FEST doesn’t just fill cultural gaps—it rebuilds the whole blueprint.
“This isn’t a film festival. It’s a storytelling experience,” Pryor says. “We’re not waiting for the industry to come find us. We are the industry.”
🎟 Get tickets now at XLFest.org. Group rates are available. If you’re flying in (and you should be), check into Hyatt Place Hyde Park, The Sophy Hotel, or The Study for special XL rates.
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