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 experience with other forms of media and an awards show hosted by Lamorne Morris. The full line up will be announced next spring.
After the successful festival pilot launched last summer with Robert Townsend and Louis Carr, several organizations have taken note of Pryor’s ability. Specifically, making authentic connections with BIPOC audiences.
Pryor has built an All-Star festival team including Lamorne Morris, NK Gutiérrez, Mike Abrantie, Vee L Harrison, and Dani Jackson-Smith plus a host of partners. Collaborating with Hyatt, University of Chicago, National Association of Black Journalists, The Silver Room, The House Chi, GRÈVYI, and Harper Theater have made the idea of a destination festival experience possible.
Pryor credits his ability to build teams and connect with audiences to two things. His grooming to be a preacher and observing the first person to hire him in film, Tyler Perry.
“It was awesome observing him (Tyler Perry) direct everything on the set of “Daddy’s Little Girls” and reminding me of the strong leaders I grew up with,” said Pryor. “I was background but then got the opportunity to sit and discuss the business. This helped frame my perspective on the importance of ownership in the industry,” Pryor said.
“Heading up programming for XL Fest has proven to be one of the most exciting ventures in my creative career to date,” said NK Gutiérrez, Head of XL Film Programming. “I am able to get curious about how we can more effectively uplift Black and Brown stories that reflect the mosaic of our collective and individual lived experiences. When your table is encircled with a tapestry of Black lived experiences, what is possible is space for truth, play and a sweeping celebration of our culture.”
Building community and genuine connections is critical to long term success. Many XL Fest attendees commented on the gaps filled that other festivals could not.
“Most festivals become fleeting moments with limited incentive for creators,” said Pryor. “In many cases it costs filmmakers more money to be involved and they may not get any ROI. Many organizations hire a few Black faces but restrict any notable autonomy. This lack of inclusivity in final decision making creates blind spots that limit growth and impact. Hip-hop calls this being a culture vulture. Unfortunately, that can come back to haunt you in the long run.”
Besides the culture shift Pryor has ignited, Chicago can now do something it has never done; build a destination film festival experience.
Although Creative Cypher is a Chicago-based company, Pryor understands how to expand out of the bubble. Cypher/XL developed strategic partnerships with festivals around the country to build programming allowing their reach to scale.
“Each time I returned from speaking or collaborating on an event at Sundance, I’d come back saying, we can do this here! Oftentimes it fell on deaf ears or more frequently seemed impossible to those in leadership roles, but I had a vision.”
“I always loved the Hyde Park area and admired what the Silver Room Block Party and Hyde Park Fest accomplished,” continued Pryor. “The main demo for each event was the same that was missing at many Chicago film festivals. Black culture, hip hop culture moves things the existing festivals couldn’t tap into, so the City could never scale film experience to rival other destination festivals around the map.”
“The opportunity to create a multidisciplinary art experience excites me,” said Eric Williams, Founder, Silver Room & Silver Block Party. “That was the original goal of the Black Party, this collaboration helps achieve those goals.”
The XL Film Festival’s advisory board includes: Louis Carr, Robin Robinson, Qadree Holmes, Brenda Gilbert, Dave Jeff, Eric Williams and Pemon Rami, who serves as honorary chair.
To avoid fleeting moments, the fest has year-around events and the XL content Lab, led by Charles Borg and Derek Nelson. Most recently the XL lab project Hindsight by Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, won best film at this year’s Black Excellence Awards.
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