12:00 | Acting Workshop 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! You will learn how to foster a truly collaborative film set from educator, and SAG-AFTRA actor Charles Andrew Gardner (DePaul & Roosevelt Universities), director and educator Derek Dow (Chicago State University), and film producers Latoya Hunter and Rochelle Cowan (Crew Call Collective).

1:00 | Storytelling Workshop by LaTonya Croff

LOCATION: Obama Foundation - 5235 S Harper Ct Suite 1140, 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

7:00 | 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/ special guest Twista.

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 | Mental Health Chat: Happy Songs + 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 Nikki Lynett & Z

1:00 | 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.

2:00 | Sweet Wellness Experience: A Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding Exclusive

Join us at the Iconic 2025 XL Film Festival for an intimate gathering blending indulgence and inspiration. This exclusive event features a fireside chat with celebrity wellness entrepreneur Dreka Gates, a frozen pudding tasting lounge, wellness & networking mixer, and curated photo and media moments. Designed for cultural tastemakers and community leaders, the Sweet Wellness Experience offers a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate mindful living, and savor the nostalgic taste of Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding — all in a sophisticated setting.

3:00 | Artists & Mental Health w/ Rep. LaShon K. Ford, Bree Specific, Cortez Smith

4:00 | Financial Health Presented by Chase

5:00 | 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)
Screening followed by Panel with Producer & team

9:00 | House Party w/ DJ Set
Wrap up the night with our Penthouse party

LOCATION: All Events at David Rubenstein Forum | 1201 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637

10:00 | Soul Food Youth Saturday
Obama Foundation (Private Event)

11:00 | Film Blocks
Curated by NK Gutiérrez

View Film Schedule

12:00 | Fatherless No More Screening
Screening followed by a Panel with the Producer & team


2:00 | Kickstarter Presents funding Indie film w/ Woody McClain
Learn how to self-fund your project with the new XL Kickstarter Film Lab!

3:00 | AMC Presents Distribution Panel
Learn how to secure a distribution project with AMC

4:00 | Starz Presents Development Panel
Learn how to develop your project for networks

5:00 | The Best Man w/ Malcom D Lee
In Conversation with Director Malcolm D Lee. All attendees will receive a signed copy of his new book, The Best Man: Unfinished Business

6:00 | Soul Food (TV)
Celebrate the iconic Showtime Series with the cast

7:00 | Soul Food (Film)
Celebrate the iconic film with the cast

8:00 | Family Business - Doc Filming in place
We keep it in the family as we discuss marriage and business

9:00 | Cigar Lounge
Kick back and relax with a chill lounge curated by TateMen Ent.

9:00 | What's the Word Afterparty
Get your cameras ready for the penthouse afterparty

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 | Faith & Film Presented by Actors Empowerment Summit

LOCATION: Emily Hotel - 311 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607

Conversation with creator and comedian KevOnStage & Mark JP Hood as they explore how their faith has empowered their careers.

12:00-6:00 | Rooftop Cinema + Encore shorts

LOCATION: Emily Hotel - 311 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607
Coming Soon…

7:00 | Antoine Walker Documentary

LOCATION: Emily Hotel - 311 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607

Presented by Dark Berry Productions x What's The Word TV

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.

LOCATION: All events @ Lincoln Park Room - 2242 N. Lincoln Ave. E Chicago, IL

2:00 | Chicago Rising

4:00 | Da Book Joint + Pop Up Book Store

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.

6:00 | DuSummer Music Series w/ Simone Green

LOCATION: DuSable Museum 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637

12:00-6:00 | Harper Theater Encore Screenings

LOCATION: Harper Theater - 5238 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

6:00 | NABJ 50th Anniversary Screening

LOCATION: DuSable Museum - 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637

11:00 | Hip Hop History Brunch w/ Chuck D

LOCATION: Sophy Hotel - 1411 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615