Now in its 16th year, Roger Ebert’s Film Festival—formerly known as Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival, often simply nicknamed “Ebertfest”—will honor the legacy of the late film critic with a program of movies he adored. (Ebert’s wife Chaz, who took over hosting duties when her husband lost his speaking voice to cancer, will once again emcee.) The festival, held at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, will sensibly open with Life Itself, the Steve James documentary about Ebert. The full lineup of films also includes recent indie fare like Museum Hours and Short Term 12, Capote (presumably in honor of Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Spike Lee’s magnificent Do The Right Thing, which Ebert famously championed upon release. Guests include James, Lee, and comedian Patton Oswalt, there to introduce and talk about another Ebert favorite, Young Adult. Tickets are on sale now.
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