How Troy Pryor is Revolutionizing Chicago Filmmaking with Chicago XL Fest

Troy Pryor is expanding the reach of Black filmmakers in Chicago through the Chicago XL Fest and the Chicago Film XLerator Program, a lab designed to provide resources and industry connections for creators of color. Pryor’s initiatives have already resulted in 14 streaming deals for participants in the accelerator program.

The Chicago XL Fest, which Pryor acquired in 2022 when it was known as the Chicago South Side Film Festival, functions as a networking hub for film and television professionals. The event features seminars, film screenings, and script readings aimed at creating market entry points for attendees.

The current festival schedule opens with a screening of Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners in Millennium Park. The event concludes on August 23 with a program held at the Obama Presidential Center, which opened to the public last Juneteenth.

Industry Connections and Guest Appearances

Pryor attributes the growth of the festival to the involvement of established industry figures. Actor Robert Townsend spoke at the 2023 event, followed by Chicago natives Larenz, Lahmard, and LaRon Tate in 2024.

For the current iteration of the festival, Pryor indicated that guests connected to the 2002 film Barbershop, which was based in Chicago, will be appearing.

Beyond celebrity appearances, Pryor stated that the goal is for attendees to secure professional deals or gain a clear pathway into the entertainment market.

People want to be able to say that they actually benefited from being a part of a festival. I don’t see that with many other festivals.

Troy Pryor

Origins of Creative Cypher and Film XLerator

Pryor’s entry into film production followed a career in athletics and modeling. He played on his South Side high school’s inaugural football team and later became the first of his alma mater to play college ball despite tearing his ACL in high school as a walk-on to the University of Illinois football squad.

After college, Pryor signed with Elite Model Management, performing runway work for Michael Kors and appearing in the series Chicago Fire. In 2012, following a meeting with a casting director, he founded Creative Cypher, a collective for Black Chicago storytellers.

Pryor said that his decision to start the collective came from a realization that he could build his own opportunities and community rather than waiting for permission from established entities.

This drive was further influenced by Pryor’s experience serving on local film festival boards. He noted that while these boards provided resources, the festivals were not owned or operated by Black creators, which he said led to an experience that lacked authenticity for Black actors and creators.

Reframing the Narrative of Chicago

Pryor intends for the Chicago XL Fest to serve as a showcase for the city’s talent pool. He expressed a desire to shift the public perception of Chicago away from associations with crime and toward its status as a world-class city that influences global culture.

By integrating the Chicago Film XLerator Program with the festival, Pryor aims to institutionalize the support system for rising creators of color, ensuring that the talent residing in the city has a direct line to streaming platforms and industry executives.