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 ...
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.Â
The film, starringÂ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 founde...
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 b...
Up and coming Chicago-based filmmaker, Chantel Chavon, makes her directorial debut by tackling the connection between racism and mental illness head on in the short film, When ...
