In a bold move reinforcing its commitment to elevating authentic storytelling and emerging talent, AMC Networks has officially signed a two-year licensing deal for Brand New, a powerful drama from the Creative Cypher/XL Fest pipeline. The deal
Creative Cypher, the media collective founded by filmmaker and industry trailblazer Troy Pryor, today announced that Kickstarter, the leading crowdfunding and launch platform for creative projects of every size, will
Creative Cypher, the Chicago-based entertainment brand responsible for the XL Film Festival, has partnered with the Latine short film Final Frame. Final Frame is written and directed by Chicago-area filmmakers
Creative Cypher continues to break barriers in Black film as it releases its first animated project, Captain Zero. Captain Zero, created by Lamard Cher-Aime is one of 9 projects in
Troy Pryor’s Creative Cypher continues to celebrate Black creators and their stories in the latest joint venture, Dark Berry Productions. Long Division, premiering in a sold out screening on January
Creative Cypher’s XL Film Fest has released its official lineup for the three day festival beginning August 17th until August 20th. Founder Troy Pryor has created a unique opportunity for
Creative Cypher will host the XL Film Festival Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20, and continue to host events throughout the year. XL Festival/Creative Cypher founder, Troy Pryor, is an advisor for the
During the last quarter of 2022, Creative Cypher, founded by Troy Pryor, agreed to merge its sister brand Cypher Foundation with the Chicago South Side Film Festival, founded by Michelle
Border’d, a new Chicago-based web series, announced today their partnership with media company Creative Cypher to produce the first season of the show. Border’d focuses on the lives of a
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
Filmscape Chicago, the Midwest’s leading film and television production expo, is back for its 2025 edition, promising two days of innovation, education, and networking for the film and media production
Cottage Grove, a short film made entirely in Chicago by South Side native George Ellzey, Jr., is now a two-time winner at the 46th Annual Telly Awards. The film, starring Patrick
Fangs, fear and a fusion of sound carry Ryan Coogler’s latest film, Sinners. The supernatural horror film, which Coogler wrote, produced and directed, is set in the 1930’s American south. It
The austerity of celebrity ‘stan’ culture has become more stringent and divisive than ever before. If you dare wade into the choppy waters of the Rihanna-aligned “Navy,” the swarm of
XL Fest has announced a collaboration to showcase emerging filmmakers on AMC+, the premium streaming bundle from AMC Networks featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed programming from
Creative Cypher and the XL Film Festival credits the powerful impact of the film, Kemba for finally winning freedom for Kemba Smith’s former cellmate, Michelle West. President Joe Biden announced
The Chicago-made groundbreaking half hour pilot, The Come Up, is gaining international recognition for its raw and authentic portrayal of Chicago youth navigating life through the lens of slam poetry.
There will be a Chicago screening of Kemba on Wednesday, October 30, a film inspired by true events, that serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action,
This year’s XL Film Fest is headlined by Larenz Tate, Larron Tate, and Lahmard Tate and will take place August 15-18, 2024, at various venues across the city. The XL
Chicago State University is partnering with the Illinois Film Office, Kennedy King College and Filmscape to host the Illinois Film Industry Workforce Training Conference on June 21st. The event will take place at Chicago
