The 2025 XL Film Festival is pulling out all the stops as it returns to Chicago from August 14–23, spotlighting the cultural legacy of Soul Food while elevating Chicago’s deep-rooted influence on film and television. This year, the festival celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beloved 1997 film with a tribute that reunites cast and crew, while rolling out an expansive lineup of screenings, panels, and immersive cultural experiences across the city.
Founded by Troy Pryor and produced through his artist-empowering platform Creative Cypher, XL Fest is a citywide celebration of storytelling that centers community, culture, and creative freedom. And for the first time, it’s in partnership with TateMen Entertainment—founded by brothers Larenz, Lahmard, and Larron Tate—who are helping to expand the festival’s reach and deepen its impact.
Together, the partnership signals a renewed commitment to elevating underrepresented voices in media, with distribution pathways through AMC, ALLBLK, and Starz baked into the festival’s mission to create sustainable pipelines for creatives.
Honoring ‘Soul Food’ and Chicago’s Cultural Legacy
A centerpiece of the festival, the Soul Food 25th anniversary celebration pays homage not only to the hit film and its Showtime TV series spinoff but to the city that shaped them. The festival will host documentary filming and cast reunions for both the film and the series, spotlighting Chicago’s enduring legacy as a cultural and creative epicenter.
Cast and creatives confirmed to appear include:
- Director George Tillman
- Vivica A. Fox
- Michael Beach
- Brandon Hammond
- Malinda Williams
- Vanessa Estelle Williams
- Producer Bob Teitel
Other special guests include Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Woody McClain, Larenz Tate, Lahmard Tate, director Malcolm D. Lee, hip hop legends Chuck D and Twista, and representatives from The Obama Foundation and KevOnStage.
Naughton-Lewis will also present her short film 333, followed by a fireside chat with the Tate Brothers on her evolution as an actress, producer, and creative force.
Featured Events + Festival Highlights
Beyond Soul Food, the festival will feature an expansive lineup of film screenings, industry panels, wellness activations, and community mixers. Notable events include:
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Spotlight Conversation with The Best Man: The Final Chapters director Malcolm D. Lee, who will also sign copies of his new book.
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Family Business Panel with the Tate Brothers on building a legacy in entertainment.
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Faith & Film Conversation featuring KevOnStage and Mark J.P. Hood, presented by the Actors Empowerment Summit.
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Crew Call with The Obama Foundation, hosted by actor and educator Charles Andrew Gardner.
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Kickstarter Pitch Competition for independent filmmakers.
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Distribution Panels with AMC and Starz on securing deals for original work.
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Sisters in Cinema Panels, including documentary storytelling, mentorship, and women-led filmmaking.
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Sweet Wellness Experience, a fireside chat and frozen pudding tasting with wellness entrepreneur Dreka Gates.
Select Film Screenings Include:
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Fatherless No More
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Uncle George: The Music Man (documentary)
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The Ebony Canal (documentary)
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A curated shorts series at Harper Theater
The festival also includes community-centered events like acting and storytelling workshops, wellness sessions, rooftop cinema nights, live DJ sets, afterparties, and mixers hosted by notable partners like The Aux Network, TateMen Entertainment, and Sisters in Cinema.
A Citywide Celebration
All events take place throughout Chicago, with venues including Hyde Park, Harper Theater, David Rubenstein Forum, Obama Foundation, Experimental Station, and The Emily Hotel.
Current XL Film Festival sponsors include JP Morgan Chase, Starz, AMC, ALLBLK, Kickstarter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coca-Cola, Uncle Nearest, Obama Foundation, and many more.
The 2025 lineup embraces every facet of creative culture—from comedy and faith to business and legacy—while honoring Chicago’s historic contributions to Black storytelling.
To view the full XL Film Festival schedule and RSVP for events, visit: https://creativecypher.org/xl-fest