URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies at the University of Illinois is inviting the community to a full slate of free film screenings, discussions, and festivals as part of its Spring 2026 programming.
The series, hosted by the College of Media, includes classic and contemporary films, guest lectures, an academic symposium, and two student film festivals. All events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Knight Auditorium at the Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, unless otherwise noted.
“This semester offers a wonderful selection of screenings, accompanied by discussions, lectures, and two student film festivals to stimulate conversations about the power of cinema,” said Julie Turnock, director of the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies. “We look forward to sharing these events with the community and promoting meaningful dialogue and participation as we continue celebrating the legacy of Roger Ebert at the University of Illinois.”
Spring 2026 events include:
-
Feb. 12, 7 p.m. — Seasonal Affective Cinema: A screening of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), the Palme d’Or–winning French musical directed by Jacques Demy. The film will be introduced by University of Illinois Media and Cinema Studies professor Jenny Oyallon-Koloski, a scholar of Demy’s work.
-
March 5, 7 p.m. — Ebert Fellows screening: This year’s Ebert Fellows present One Battle After Another (2025), director Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film. The screening will be introduced by the Ebert Fellows and their mentor, film critic Michael Phillips.
-
March 30, 7 p.m. — Ebert Symposium screening: A screening of Sidney Lumet’s The Wiz (1978), starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Nipsey Russell. The film will be introduced by Dr. Alfred L. Martin Jr., chair of the Department of Cinematic Arts at the University of Miami and the symposium’s keynote speaker.
-
March 31, 2 p.m. — Ebert Symposium roundtable: A discussion led by University of Illinois doctoral students exploring fandom, parasocial relationships, and media, with audience participation encouraged.
-
March 31, 4 p.m. — Ebert Symposium keynote address: Dr. Alfred L. Martin Jr. presents What The Wiz Was (and Is): Media Industries, Distribution, Reception and The Wiz, examining the film’s cultural impact, industry context, and lasting legacy.
-
May 1, 7 p.m. — Illinois Student Film Festival: A showcase of short films created by University of Illinois students, produced and curated by students in MACS 366: Film Festivals.
-
May 9, 7 p.m. — Media & Cinema Studies Student Showcase: A faculty-curated screening of student work created throughout the academic year across multiple MACS courses.
The Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies honors the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and University of Illinois alum Roger Ebert and serves as a hub for film scholarship, creativity, and community engagement.
For the latest updates, visit the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies website or contact Julie Turnock at jturnock@illinois.edu.
