FULL SCHEDULE
Thursday August 14th
12:00 | Script to Screen Workshop Presented by Crew Call Collective
LOCATION: Obama Foundation - 5235 S Harper Ct Suite 1140, Chicago, IL 60615
Kick off XL FEST 25 with an immersive 3-hour workshop to discover practical and approachable strategies that will elevate your productions to the next level! Presented by Crew Call Collective.
1:00 | Storytelling Workshop by LaTonya Croff
LOCATION: Polsky Center - 1452 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
A mini workshop where you create your personal pitch and logline. In this session, you will learn how to craft your personal pitch, interactive logline game and work out live examples of personal pitches followed by a Q&A.
4:00 | Happy Hour Mixer by ProducHers
LOCATION: Sophy Hotel -1411 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
Join us for opening day happy hour as we celebrate with Uncle Nearest @ Sophy Hotel
6:00 | Opening Night Party by The Aux Network
LOCATION: Hyde Park Labs - 5207 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Join us at Opening Night of XL Fest as we celebrate the launch of The Aux Network w/ surprise special guest!
Friday August 15th
LOCATION: All Events at David Rubenstein Forum | 1201 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
11:00 | Film Blocks
Curated by NK Gutiérrez
View Film Schedule
12:00 | Divinely Guided Zen Session
This sacred experience blends sound healing, intuitive movement, chakra balancing, breathwork, and meditation curated to help you release blocks, reconnect with your inner muse, and return to center.
Led by Certified Reiki Master & Intuitive Healer, Andrea “Zen Goddess” Polk.
12:00 | Financial Health Presented by Chase
Jasper Hagan leads conversation with Shante’ Robinson & Jared Evans
2:00 | Mental Health Chat: We Are Not Ok, Happy Songs About UnHappy Things, & Captain Zero
Let's take a deep dive into a journey in mental health taping in all of your senses. Stick around for a conversation with creators.
3:00 | Artists & Mental Health w/ Cortez Smith, Nikki Lynnette, Z Cher-Aime, Dr. Obari Cartman, Jae Davis, Lawrence “Binkey” Tolfree
4:00 | In the Mix - XL by CynCity Creative Sounds by Kosine
Happy Hour Lounge is perfect for networking and making genuine connections.
5:00 | The Ebony Canal Screening (Documentary)
Screening followed by Panel with Director & team.
7:00 | Uncle George: The Music Man (Documentary)
Join us for a special screening of Uncle George: The Music Man, a powerful documentary exploring the life and cultural legacy of Chicago music icon George Daniels.
Followed by a post-screening Q&A featuring George Daniels, Pamela Richardson (Director/Producer), Chef Sean (Music Director), and Coldhard (of Crucial Conflict).
Moderated by Robin Robinson.
Saturday August 16th
LOCATION: All Events at David Rubenstein Forum | 1201 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
10:00 | Soul Food Youth Saturday
Powered by Obama Foundation
11:00 | Film Blocks
Curated by NK Gutiérrez
View Film Schedule
12:00 | Fatherless No More Screening
Screening followed by a Panel with J. Ivy, Add-2, Sherman Dilla Thomas, Pastor Tim Johnson, and Pastor Otis Moss III
2:00 | Kickstarter Presents funding Indie film w/ Woody McClain & Taylor Shaw
3:00 | AMC Presents Distribution Panel
Learn how to navigate DEI, submit to a network, and secure a distribution with AMC executives Nikki Love, Naila McKenzie Ross, & Brett Dismuke.
4:00 | Starz Presents Development & Acquistions Panel
Learn how to develop your project for networks with Starz exec Daria Overby & Michele Arteaga
5:00 | The Best Man w/ Malcom D Lee
In Conversation with Director Malcolm D Lee. and host Dometi Pongo
6:00 | Soul Food (TV)
Celebrate the iconic Showtime Series with the cast members Malinda Williams & Vanessa Estelle Williams
7:00 | Soul Food (Film)
Celebrate the iconic film with the cast members Vivica A. Fox, Michael Beach, & Brandon Hammond. Moderated by Sam Chatman
8:00 | Family Business -
We keep it in the family w/ The Tate Brothers: Larenz, Lahmard, and Larron.
9:00 | Cigar Lounge
Kick back and relax with a chill lounge curated by TateMen Ent.
Sunday August 17th
1:00 | Soul Food Sunday Brunch Presented by TateMen Ent.
LOCATION: All Events at David Rubenstein Forum | 1201 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Join us, as we honor George Tillman and Bob Teitel during the opening weekend. This star packed event is curated by Larez Tate, TateMen Entertainment, and Creative Cypher. Food, food, good vibes, and good energy! Hosted by Val Warner
7:00 | Sneak Peek of Churchy
LOCATION: APC Theater - 11401 S Vincennes Ave, Chicago, IL
Conversation with creator and comedian KevOnStage & Mark JP Hood as they explore how their faith has empowered their careers. Presented by Actors Empowerment Summit & ArtSoul Radio
Monday August 18th
7:00 | Antoine Walker Documentary
LOCATION: Emily Hotel - 311 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607
Presented by Dark Berry Productions x Whats The Word TV
Tuesday August 19th
3:00-8:00 | The Reunion: Creatives Mixer & Panel Series
Hosted by Sisters in Cinema
LOCATION: Sisters in Cinema - 2310 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60649
Sisters in Cinema x XL Fest presents The Reunion: Creatives Mixer & Panel Series, a free, one-day event designed to bring together a vibrant community of filmmakers, photographers, models, content creators, and creative minds from across Chicago and beyond.
3:30 PM | "Money Moves: Funding Strategies for Filmmakers" - A panel conversation featuring Encarnación M. Teruel, Meida McNeal, and Elijah McKinnon, moderated by Yvonne Welbon, Founder & CEO of Sisters in Cinema.
4:30 PM | "Roots & Reels: The Power of Mentorship and Creative Collaboration" - A panel conversation featuring Addison Belhomme and Keith Purvis, moderated by Jewel Baker, Programs & Events Manager at Sisters in Cinema.
5:30 PM | "Documentary Storytelling: Speak Your Real Truth" - An interactive workshop featuring Tyshun Wardlaw.
6:30 PM | "Through the Lens: Mentorship, Sisterhood & Black Women in Film" - A panel conversation in collaboration with Cinema Femme featuring Sandel "Sanicole" Young and Natasha Parker Olguin, moderated by Ahsha Davis, Projects & Operations Manager at Sisters in Cinema
8:00 PM | The BRoll Jam by ChiBrations & a film called black
LOCATION: Experimental Station – 6100 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Close out your evening with The BRoll Jam, an open jam session and film preview presented by ChiBrations and a film called black.
The live band, led by award-winning musician Sam Thousand, will set the stage for other creatives to join the vibe (musicians, poets, dancers, etc...). The visual component of the night will be a brief film preview with an artist talk and featured performance by a film called black—an evolving retro-futuristic music & film project by Cam Be & Neak. This event will also include a community art wall activation, a food truck, refreshments, and interactive media and projections. Tap in to get a first-person glimpse into Chicago's underground scene and be a part of the vibe. Free & open to the public.
Wednesday August 20th
LOCATION: All events @ Lincoln Park Room - 2242 N. Lincoln Ave. E Chicago, IL
2:00 | Chicago Rising Live Podcast - Limited seating for select audience
4:00 | Da Book Joint + Pop Up Book Store - Limited seating for select audience
6:00 | Lab 88
Lab Eighty 8 is a dynamic and collaborative community led by artists, for artists. We are a collective of multimedia creatives dedicated to fostering sustainability within our practices and driving impact through innovative solutions.
7:00 | Laughter is Medicine Presented by This, That, & the Third
Sometimes you have to laugh it off! Discuss how comedy can heal the world.
Thursday August 21st
6:00 | DuSummer Music Series w/ Simone Green
LOCATION: DuSable Museum 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
7:00 | Stolen Youth Marquette 4 Documentary
Post Q/A moderated by Robin Robinson
LOCATION: Harold Washington Cultural Center 4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653
Friday August 22nd
6:00 | NABJ 50th Anniversary Screening
LOCATION: DuSable Museum - 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
Saturday August 23rd
11:00 | Hip Hop History Brunch w/ Chuck D
LOCATION: Sophy Hotel - 1411 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615