Before we dive into the brilliance of filmmaker and hometown hero Robert Townsend, let me start with a crucial question: What’s your favorite line from The Five Heartbeats?
Mine?
“Every night I have to fight to prove my love.”
That unforgettable moment comes right after brothers Duck (Robert Townsend) and JT (Leon) use a method called “shy boy” to pick up women, unaware that the woman they’re trying to impress is there with someone else.
It’s a classic scene that fans have been laughing at and quoting for decades.
And now, the man behind that iconic film is stepping up once again, this time to help give back to Chicago’s communities.
A December Weekend Rooted in Community
On Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, Robert Townsend, partnering with the Westside Chapter of the NAACP, The Answer Inc., and Autism Awareness, is hosting a series of community-focused events that also serve as fundraisers.
The celebrated actor, writer, director, and producer is using his platform to uplift the community and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, artists, and storytellers.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can look forward to a masterclass, a film festival, a game night, and a comedy show, each celebrating what happens when Black creativity, Chicago pride, and community unity come together.
A Festival With Heart, and a Mission
Townsend’s upcoming festival is more than an artistic showcase. It’s a community response.
“When I saw Chicago under attack, my heart went out to everybody,” he says. “My black and brown brothers and sisters are going through so much. So are my people. We always have to stand together.”
His longtime friend Karl Brinson, president of the West Side NAACP, has spent a decade fighting for justice and local stability. Townsend wanted to ensure the organization had the financial strength to keep serving.
He also wanted to uplift The Answer Inc., an autism advocacy organization founded by Deborah Vines after her son Jason’s autism diagnosis.
“My childhood friend, Karl Brinson, the guy I used to play basketball with, is now the head of the West Side NAACP. He’s been president for decades and has been fighting the good fight that whole time. Watching the violence and everything happening on the news, I thought, we have to make sure the NAACP is strong and has the money it needs to help people when they get into trouble. That’s where the idea started.
Then there’s my friend Deborah Vines. Her son Jason has autism, and she founded The Answer Inc., an autism advocacy organization. I wanted to support her, too.
So I brought everyone together. And this weekend, next weekend, is really about raising money for two incredible causes, while having a great time doing it.”
The festival includes:
Saturday, December 6
Master Class – 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Townsend will break down his creative process, the same one behind many of his classics.
“People always ask how I make my films. In the master class, I’m going to show how Robert bakes his cake,” he says. “I do things differently, and I want filmmakers to learn from that.”
Film Screenings – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
• The Five Heartbeats
• The Spook Who Sat by the Door — the film Townsend credits with changing his life
Game Night – 6:00 pm
There will be a bid whist tournament as the event has expanded to include Uno, spades, dominoes, Scrabble, and more. Townsend will play bid whist with Jackie Taylor, founder of the Black Ensemble Theater, and his former Cooley Highmovie co-star.
Sunday, December 7
Film Screenings
11:00 am – The Meteor Man
2:00 pm – Power Book IV: Force (directed by Robert Townsend, followed by a Q&A with cast members)
Comedy Showcase – 7:30 pm
Hosted by comedian Lil Rel Howery and featuring Laroyce Hawkins, with performances by Just Nesh, Barry Brewer, and Calvin Evans. Leon Rogers of WGCI has also been added to the lineup.
“We’re going to raise money, and we’re going to have fun,” Townsend says. “It’s a celebration.”
Returning to His Roots
As the festival approaches, Townsend reflects on his early years growing up on Chicago’s West Side, on Van Buren and Kostner, with his mother and siblings. He often recalls how he couldn’t spend much time outside due to the gang activity and violence in the area during the ’60s and ’70s.
Instead, he stayed indoors watching television so much that his family nicknamed him “TV Guide.” He always knew which shows were on and when they aired, and he kept everyone updated on the programming lineup.
But those hours in front of the TV were the beginning of something bigger. Townsend eventually enrolled in acting and training classes at John Robert Powers, where a job board connected him to additional opportunities, classes, and roles.
The West Side became the foundation of his creativity, resilience, and lifelong commitment to uplifting others. His story remains rooted in passion, purpose, faith, and a deep belief in the potential of Black artists.
“My first audition was at age 14, Experimental Black Actors Guild, X-Bag Theatre, in Chicago he remembers. “That’s when I fell in love with theater. And that’s when I met Pemon Rami, my first director and mentor.”
Rami’s example as a writer, director, and producer on the West Side became the blueprint for Townsend’s own career. It was at the Lamont Zeno Theater where Townsend says he “caught the bug,” performing in productions that helped shape the artist the world would later recognize.
New York, and Stand-Up
Townsend’s journey took him from Chicago’s West Side to the bright lights of New York City, where he sharpened his comedic and directorial instincts.
“I started doing stand-up at The Improv in New York,” he says. “That’s where I met a tall young comedian with a big afro, Keenen Ivory Wayans.”
Stand-up, Townsend explains, was a training ground, a place where he learned timing, structure, pacing, and storytelling.
“When you do stand-up, you’re writing, directing, and editing yourself in real time. If it works, they laugh. If it doesn’t, you know right away.”
Those lessons would eventually fuel films like Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats, Meteor Man, and Holiday Heart, all celebrated for their emotional pulse and cultural truth.
Memories With Legends
Townsend has countless stories from working with Hollywood giants, but one memory stands above the rest. He recalls working with James Earl Jones on Meteor Man.
“He could cry on command, left eye, right eye, one tear or two. He’d ask, ‘Which one do you want?” Townsend says with a laugh. “He was brilliant. And it meant so much because he starred in Claudine, similar to my life, and one of my favorite movies.”
A Message to the Next Generation: “Quality Control”
Townsend is encouraged by the range of stories emerging from young Black filmmakers, but he wants to see more intentionality.
“What’s missing is quality control,” he says. “Is the material good? Is it great? Can it be better? Don’t rush. Rewrite. Get feedback.”
He points to his collaboration with Keenen Ivory Wayans as a model of creative rigor:
“When we made Hollywood Shuffle, we challenged each other constantly. Same with The Five Heartbeats. Twenty-five drafts later, people call it a classic.”
His message to millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha: “Be harder on the material. Make it undeniable.”
Faith, Determination, and Trusting the Path
Despite all his accomplishments, Townsend’s greatest lesson remains rooted in faith.
“I didn’t go to film school. I prayed and asked God to guide me,” he says. “All things are possible if you believe. A lot of artists never become artists because they don’t believe.”
Even with a busy schedule, Townsend remains connected to the city that shaped him. When he returns to Chicago, he heads straight to the West Side staple MacArthur’s “I love soul food,” he says.
When asked about his holiday plans, Townsend shared a heartwarming glimpse of his family traditions.
“You know what? This year, my daughter Skye is hosting the family. She’s cooking and setting everything up, and it’s a surprise; I have no idea what she’s planned. We’ll hang out, watch movies, and laugh. I travel a lot, so this year I want to be home, relax, and enjoy the time with my family.”
The Next Chapter: A New Gear
Mr. Townsend will direct the upcoming season of “The Bear” and also acts as Emmanuel Adamu, the father of Sydney Adamu, played by Ayo Edebiri. In addition, he will direct episodes of the upcoming seasons of “The Chi,” alongside Lena Waithe.
Townsend isn’t slowing down; in fact, he’s accelerating.
“I’m stepping my game up even higher,” he says. “I’m assembling my hit squad, new producers, writers, and directors. Going into 2026, I’m ready to push into another gear.”
He closes with both an invitation and a challenge:
“I want people to come out. Come to the comedy show. Come to the master class. We’ve added new events, and I want serious filmmakers in the room. Let’s raise money, have fun, and stay united.”
For more information and to attend this eventful weekend, visit: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/robert-townsend-presents-pop-up-film-festival/tickets
