Crosslinked hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) films retaining cholesteric liquid crystalline order (CLCO) were filled with cellulose powders. Swellability in water and circular dichroism study during swelling of the films were determined and the effects of cellulose powders on the swellability and CLCO of the films were discussed. The cellulose powders dispersed in the films swelled more greatly and more rapidly than did the matrix HPC and appeared to induce the change in handedness of CLCO of the matrix HPC.