David Saveanu
Reporter
The Virginia Theater in Champaign saw visitors from all over during the 20th annual Roger Ebert Film Festival.
Ebertfest extends over five days, showing films at multiple points throughout the day with a mix of old and new, little known to box office hits, and foreign and American films.
Along with the films, there are also commentaries held by people important to the productions. For example, the showing of “13th” also included a commentary by the director.
In addition to the showings at the Virginia Theater, the festival also included free panel discussions and workshops by film experts at the Hyatt hotel nearby, including panels like “Levelling the Playing Field: Hollywood in the Time of #MeToo and #TimesUp.”
People reminisced on the festival’s rich history with Champaign and the impact it has had on its visitors that have made it world-renowned.
Roger Ebert was a Champaign-Urbana local and famous film critic, having received many awards and honors, including a Pulitzer prize for his writing about film.
Ebert created the festival to celebrate films that he’s reviewed, giving them a second chance at glory on the big screen. The festival continued after his death, showing both classics he’s reviewed and newer films that are chosen by his wife, Chaz Ebert.
The festival creates a bridge between creators and their audience, allowing them to view the films together and discuss; it brings filmmakers and film talents the opportunity to connect with their fans.
Christine Cahill, a Champaign resident, is an Ebertfest veteran.
“I started with the third one and I have not gotten past this [festival] every year,” Cahill said while waiting to view the film “13th.”
She talked about how regardless of what is going on in her life, she has still made it to the festival.
She also reminisced about bringing her children to the festival.
“My daughter remembers going to see ‘Shiloh,’ and me taking her to see ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ at the fest,” Cahill said.
Cahill still strives to make an appearance at the festival.
“My daughter came home specifically during Ebertfest to do some wedding planning. I’m still managing to fit in four movies even though she’s here,” Cahill said. “And I decided this morning reading the [film description] that I have to see ‘Rumble[:The Indians Who Rocked the World]’ tomorrow [so I’m] taking her to the airport and coming to see “Rumble.’”
Dawn Manire, another Champaign resident, is newer to Ebertfest.
“This is only my third one,” Manire said.
She reminisced on one of the most memorable experiences she’s had at Ebertfest so far, from the festival back in 2000.
“I saw ‘Dark City.’ It’s a sci-fi [film]. I really enjoyed it,” Manire said. “It’s good to see it on the big screen.”
“The big screen, the atmosphere, the commentaries, and the chance to see the director,” are the reasons Manire said she comes.
Many return every year to get a chance to meet with the people involved in the films they appreciate or to experience viewing critically acclaimed films with other film appreciators from around the world who come.
“I saw the director of ‘Dark City’,” Manire said.
Manire was joined by visitors coming from ways off to experience Ebertfest.
“We have my husband’s daughter and her fiancé here from New York City and they purposely came this weekend because they wanted to see some of the films too,” Manire said.
This year’s Ebertfest film selection included films like box office hit “Interstellar,” cult classic “The Big Lebowski,” and “13th,” the heavy hitting documentary.
The festival happens every year, often in late April, produced and hosted by Chaz Ebert and the College of Media at the University of Illinois.
For more information on scheduling, and the history of the festival, visit the festival’s website at www.ebertfest.com.
