Chaz Ebert and Tracy Sulkin announced in a statement on Ebertfest’s website Friday that 2025 was Ebertfest’s last year and that the festival will not continue.
“Thus, we write to share the bittersweet news that 2025 marked the festival’s last year in Champaign-Urbana,” Chaz Ebert and Sulkin wrote. “We understand that for all of us this marks a big change.”
Roger Ebert, a University alum, was a renowned film critic for The Chicago Sun-Times and founded Ebertfest in 1999 with his wife, Chaz.
Throughout the past 26 years, the festival has showcased under-recognized films at the Virginia Theatre, giving filmmakers a chance to share their work with the local community.
The festival has come to an end due to finances, according to Chaz and Sulkin’s statement.
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“… 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 Sulkin wrote.
However, Chaz and festival director, Nate Kohn, also hinted at the possibility of a return in some capacity in the future.
“As they reimagine what Ebertfest can be, we extend our gratitude to the many Ebertfest sponsors, guests and volunteers over the years…” Chaz and Sulkin wrote.
