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 lab for rising content creators. His goal was to then provide those creators an opportunity to showcase their work, and this eventually evolved into a full festival.
Pryor, who was recently elected as a Vice President for SAG-AFTRA Chicago, understands the big picture and seamlessly navigates in multiple lanes. The festival is a testament to this, given its launch was during two union strikes.
The XL Film Festival was a combination of ideas pitched to other organizations in Chicago for years, but were never executed and routinely dismissed. The dismissal didn’t discourage Pryor.
“You get tired of pitching and explaining yourself to people that choose not to grow, so instead of waiting for folks to ‘get it’, we moved forward,” said Pryor.
Pryor curated a diverse group of speakers spanning multiple generations and media lanes. His ability to bring people together and maneuver through various obstacles is reminiscent of fellow Chicagoan Quincy Jones and the late Clarence Avant.
Shandrea Funnye, Kimbery Vaugn, Tosin Morohunfola, Patrick Wimp, Edwin Micheaux
This year was geared toward the summit conversation and complemented with the screening of 10 projects. Many of these projects will no be programmed in Cypher partner festivals around the US and UK.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL
DAY 1
Consisted of a private meet and greet with filmmakers, past XL lab winners, an industry execs, and the Director of Chicago Film office, Jonah Zeiger.
DAY 2
Louis Carr, President of Media Sales at BET with Rufus Williams of WVON. Carr discussed his journey to becoming one of the most powerful people in media and his new venture Waymaker, which has a summit approaching in Chicago next month.
A panel on mental health and Black artists led by Saudia Davis with Vee L. Harrison, Brooklyn McLinne, and Jae Davis, kicked off a series of in depth conversations for the weekend.
Creative executive Danita Paterson of Destiny Unlimited Inc. led two conversations. The first with a group of young creators aspiring to become filmmakers Addie Belhomme and Dusan Brown. The second, a discussion on the state of the industry, including SAG-AFTRA President, Charles Andrew Gardner, Peter Hawley, Head of Illinois Film Office, Brenda Gilbert, Founder of BRON Studios, Pemon Rami, author of When Blackness was Golden.
DAY 3
Robert Townsend ignites the crowd with moderator Leon Rogers of WGCI.
“Be careful who you share your dreams with!” was a key take away amongst so many gems from Townsend. Townsend also paid tribute to the legendary Pemon Rami, first African American casting director who gave Townsend his start, and serves as Honorary Chair of the festival.
The day also consisted of conversations around comedic storytellers featuring the creators of South Side, Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, along with creators Lisa Beasly, Barry Brewer, Mariann Aalda, moderating by Melissa DuPrey.
Mike Abrantie, Charliqe C. Rolle, Ytasha Womack, NK Gutierrez, Dometi Pongo
A Great conversation on the Diaspora lead by filmmaker Mike Abrantie featured Charlique Rolle, Dometi Pongo, NK Guttierez, Ytasha Womack
n recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, the festival shined light on creators that built their business from music, like the legendary George Daniels, Dave Jeff, and Martin Mycoo and rising influencer Korporate.
DAY 4
Val Warner joins Robert Townsend to wrap the festival on the Emily Hotel rooftop.
Rooftop screening of Making of The Five Heartbeats, including an interview between Robert Townsend and ABC 7 Chicago’s Val Warner.
WHAT’S NEXT?
First you Brand, then you Expand
The XL Film Festival has attracted a powerful group of brands, celebs, and organizations on board to scale the festival and partner on year – around programing.
Creative Cypher has programming lined up with Music Box Films in September to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary. Pryor will be on stage and interviewing directors beginning September 4th with Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer.
In October Creative Cypher has collaborations lined up in Chicago for another rooftop film event, a block of films at PROOF Film Festival in LA with American Cinematheque, and a screening in London for the film “Mister Abbott”, which also screened at the XL Film Festival.
Pryor is the co-chair for the Black Harvest Film Festival in November and currently advising the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals.
Zohra, Jaslene Gonzalez, Laura Alemán, Isaias Perez
Pryor’s reach has stretched beyond Chicago. While the XL Fest was launching in Chicago, An Outfit, a film which Pryor helped produce with creator Isaias Perez, Director Zohra, America’s Next Top Model Jaslen Gonzalez, and Mary Santana screened at the Puerto Rico Film Festival. Lead actress Laura Alemán won for best actress.
Pryor has a slate of new projects lined up for post-strike production and three unscripted projects currently moving forward.
“Festivals play a role in the larger Cypher ecosystem which is dedicated to empower creatives at every stage of the creative supply chain,” said Pryor. I am a creator and I study people who are not only amazing in front of the camera or mic, but also understand how to build infrastructure like President Barack Obama, Oprah, Tyler Perry, Berry Gordy, Jay-Z, Robert Townsend, Mark Wahlberg, Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, Ryan Seacrest….you get my point.”
ALSO READ: 2023 SAG-AFTRA Chicago Election Results
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