CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - After 26 years at the historic Virginia Theatre, Ebertfest is leaving Champaign-Urbana.
In a letter posted to the Ebertfest website, 2025 marked the festival's final year in C-U.
The letter cited "financial considerations" that have led to there being no "sustainable path" for the festival moving forward in the community.
No other details were mentioned about the festival's future, aside from the letter stating that Roger Ebert's widow, Chaz, and festival director Nate Kohn are "actively exploring" ideas for reinventing the festival, and will share those updates as they become available.
WAND News reached out to Ebertfest organizers for additional information, but none was available at this time.
Despite the festival leaving the area, the letter emphasized that "Roger’s pioneering legacy will continue."
"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," the letter said.
The full letter is on the Ebertfest website under the updates tab.
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