CHAMPAIGN – Wednesday kicks off the first day of the return of Ebertfest, Champaign’s annual film festival named in honor of late University of Illinois alumnus and film critic Roger Ebert.
The festival will feature films from Wednesday to Saturday including “The Phantom of the Open,” “Ghost World,” and “Nightmare Alley.”
Movies shown at Ebertfest are chosen two ways: from the pool of films reviewed by Roger Ebert or by the festival team, including his widow Chaz Ebert.
The films are shown at The Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign, which seats nearly 1,400 people.
The 2020 Ebertfest was canceled as a result of COVID-19 precautions.
This year’s special guests include director Guillermo Del Toro and Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
Gilbert Gottfried, a comedian known for voicing the parrot Iago in Aladdin, was scheduled to appear at the festival this year, too. But the actor passed away in New York last week.
Click here for a link to Ebertfest information.
| 2022 Film Schedule | |
| Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. | “Summer of Soul“ |
| Thursday 9:30 a.m. | “The Phantom of the Open“ |
| Thursday 1:30 p.m. | “The 39 Steps“ |
| Thursday 4:00 p.m. | “Gilbert“ |
| Thursday 8:00 p.m. | “French Exit“ |
| Friday 9:30 a.m. | “Passing“ |
| Friday 2:00 p.m. | “Golden Arm“ |
| Friday 4:30 p.m. | “The White Tiger“ |
| Friday 8:30 p.m. | “Ghost World“ |
| Saturday 10:00 a.m. | “Siren of the Tropics“ |
| Saturday 1:30 p.m. | “Krisha“ |
| Saturday 4:00 p.m. | “Soy Cubana“ |
| Saturday 8:30 p.m. | “Nightmare Alley“ |