In partnership with the University of Illinois Alumni Association, Ebertfest is excited to bring you the latest installment in a Virtual Cinema Series: LIFE ITSELF, a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic, social commentator, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alumnus Roger Ebert, MEDIA ’64.

The UIAA has partnered with Magnolia Pictures to bring University of Illinois alumni this viewing opportunity. You can purchase your rental copy of LIFE ITSELF, by clicking here. The film rental fee is $5.00, and a portion of film rental proceeds will benefit the Roger Ebert’s Film Festival Fund.

As part of their 2020 Homecoming celebration, the UIAA, the College of Media and Ebertfest will offer a panel discussion on LIFE ITSELF on Wednesday, December 2 at 5:00 PM CT. Panelists will include Chaz Ebert, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of RogerEbert.com and President of the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation; Steve James, acclaimed filmmaker and LIFE ITSELF director; and Nate Kohn, ’69 LAS; MS ’72 MEDIA; PhD ’95 MEDIA, University of Georgia professor and Festival Director of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival (Ebertfest). The panelists will discuss the life of Roger Ebert and this amazing movie. The audience will be able to interact and ask questions of the panel during this live event.

To register for our panel discussion, please click here.

Thank you for supporting the Illini community and Roger Ebert's Film festival during this time!