The Marvel Cinematic Universe has officially touched down in Chicago. In the new Disney+ series, Ironheart, the city doesn’t just serve as a backdrop—it’s a character all...
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 Ame...
Producer LaTaryion "LT" Perry talks with Chicago native, writer, and director George Ellzey Jr. about his film, Cottage Grove.
The film is a narrative that explores a brok...
Growing up, Richard Gallion always ditched his theater class, not knowing his future would be in acting, writing and producing stage plays. Chicago’s streets were filled with...
In a conversation with Jessica Gillespie of Cypher News, LT Perry, producer of the Chicago made, half hour pilot, The Come Up, discusses the team's recent distribution deal wit...
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,â€...
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 an...
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 criti...
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.
Pres...
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...
For a second summer in a row, Creative Cypher will host its XL Film Fest from August 15th through August 18th.
Due to an overflow of survey responses from last year’s fil...
The legendary streetwear brand, Leaders 1354, will be the spotlight for the upcoming docuseries, Lead Never Follow.
Joshua Johnson, who originally developed the concept for...
Creative Cypher continues to break barriers in Black film as it releases its first animated project, Captain Zero.Â
Captain Zero, created by Lamard Cher-Aime is one of 9 pr...
Join the Chicago White Sox, in partnership with NABJ and XL Film Festival, for a special screening of Fitted In Black celebrating more than a half century of Hip-Hop and how it...
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 s...
XL Film Festival 2024 will run from August 15-18.
According to festival founder Troy Pryor, next year’s film festival will evolve into a more expansive storytelling exp...
If you want to follow a rising star, keep your eye on connector, builder, innovator, Troy Pryor.
Five years ago Creative Cypher, founded by Pryor, launched an accelerator la...
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 op...
The XL Film Festival, powered by Creative Cypher, will feature a top tier collaboration with Mansa.
Mansa is a free, ad-supported streaming platform highlighting Black cont...
