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Ebertfest Returns for One Final Bow
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Ebertfest is returning for a final edition in April 2026.
- The festival was previously facing an uncertain future.
- 97 percent of surveyed attendees expressed interest in its return.
Ebertfest, the cherished film festival established by the late Roger Ebert, is making a comeback for a concluding run. After 26 years, the festival's future at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, had been in doubt. Chaz Ebert, Roger Ebert's widow, confirmed that the festival will indeed return for a special one-time event from April 17-19, 2026.
This decision comes after Chaz Ebert and festival director Nate Kohn surveyed past attendees, revealing a strong desire for a final celebration. A remarkable 97 percent of respondents indicated interest in "One Last Dance." The festival, previously facing financial considerations, will now have a chance to close its chapter on a high note.
The upcoming two-day festival promises a curated selection of eight films, special guests, and the engaging Q&A sessions that have defined Ebertfest. Attendees can anticipate a memorable experience celebrating great cinema and reconnecting with the festival's vibrant community before its final curtain call.
