Now right here is one thing uncommon: excellent news. It was introduced earlier this yr that, after 26 years, the beloved movie competition Ebertfest, based by iconic movie critic Roger Ebert and at present run by his widow Chaz Ebert and competition director Nate Kohn, was coming to a possible finish at its longstanding dwelling on the Virginia Theater in Champaign-Urbana on the College of Illinois.
On the time, Ebert instructed IndieWire to not rely the occasion out simply but. On the time, she mentioned it was higher to say it’s “to be continued” and to contemplate the potential pause “a hiatus.” The competition was placed on every year in partnership with the college’s School of Media. Ebert had beforehand shared that monetary issues going through each the competition and universities usually “have led us to the conclusion that there’s not a clearly sustainable path for the competition in its current kind.”
She wasn’t flawed. In an e mail despatched to varied members of the “Ebertfest household” on Thursday afternoon, Chaz Ebert fortunately shared that Ebertfest is formally returning for one remaining yr. The beloved competition will happen April 17–19, 2026, in Champaign, Illinois, at, sure, the Virginia Theatre.
Ebert additionally famous that she and Kohn had “not too long ago surveyed previous Ebertfest attendees to see if there was curiosity in One Final Dance — and the response was clear,” as 97 p.c of responders mentioned sure.
Per Ebert’s e mail, “This particular version shall be a two-day competition, that includes eight movies, particular company, and the vigorous, considerate Q&As that make Ebertfest not like another. Anticipate all the pieces you like in regards to the competition — plus just a few surprises we will’t wait to share. That is our likelihood to return collectively one final time: to rejoice nice films, commerce tales, reconnect with outdated pals, and shut this chapter the proper method.”
