Dear Friends,
Since its inception in 1999, Roger Ebert’s Film Festival has been a celebrated focal point for film and film criticism, both locally and globally. Built upon the foundation created by Roger and Chaz Ebert and festival director Nate Kohn, Ebertfest has enjoyed 26 wonderful years at the Virginia Theatre as a special event of the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
But, as is often said, all good things must come to an end--or, in this case, a new beginning. Thus, we write to share the bittersweet news that 2025 marked the festival’s last year in Champaign-Urbana. We understand that for all of us this marks a big change. Like you, we will miss the excitement of Ebertfest in our community--and Roger’s hometown--and the way it has brought together actors, directors, producers, critics, and the audience in dialogue about film and its importance in our society. Roger said that ‘movies are a machine that generates empathy and allows us to understand the lives of a person of a different age, race, gender, religion, or socio-economic class for two hours at a time’ and that kind of empathy remains much needed in our society to help us realize that we are all in this together. However, financial considerations facing both universities and film festivals have led us to the conclusion that there is not a clearly sustainable path for the festival in its present form.
Chaz and Nate are actively exploring inspired ideas for reinventing Ebertfest and will be sharing updates as those plans crystallize. (Check out RogerEbert.com as well!) As they reimagine what Ebertfest can be, we extend our gratitude to the many Ebertfest sponsors, guests and volunteers over the years, with a special thanks to Nate Kohn, Michael Barker, Sonia Evans, Brand Fortner, Betsy Hendrick, Eric Pierson, and Kim Robeson, who have been involved with Ebertfest since the beginning; to the College of Media staff who have served in the program coordinator role over the years—Nancy Casey, Mary Susan Britt, Casey Ludwig, Andy Hall, and Molly Cornyn; to the community of Champaign-Urbana, including the Virginia Theatre, the Champaign Park District, and the Champaign County Alliance for Inclusion and Respect; and to the Ebertfest Advisory Board. The festival started as a dream of Roger’s and continued because of the heartfelt warmth and generosity of all involved. It has truly made a difference.
Happily, also, for film lovers in Champaign-Urbana and beyond, Roger’s pioneering legacy will continue, as will the opportunity to gather to enjoy movies together. The College of Media celebrated the launch of the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies in 2022, the realization of a decade-long effort that began with a lead gift from Chaz and Roger. Since then the Ebert Center has offered film enthusiasts access to a number of very popular programs, from the annual Ebert lecture and Ebert Symposium to a regular film screening series in fall and spring semesters at the Knight Auditorium at the Spurlock Museum on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. These events are all free and open to the public, and many offer options for both in-person and virtual participation. We look forward to seeing you this year for these programs.
So, while Ebertfest itself is evolving, other things remain steadfast—our recognition of the profound impact Roger Ebert had on film and film criticism, our appreciation for our quarter-century of partnership, and our commitment to continuing innovative programming for the public.
Please be on the lookout for details about events for the months ahead. Until then, we’ll see you at the movies!
Best,
Chaz Ebert, Publisher, Rogerebert.com
Tracy Sulkin, Dean, College of Media