Honoring Rob Reiner with a Particular Tribute Screening of The American President; That includes Nuremberg with Sony Photos Classics Co-Founder Michael Barker; and Presenting a Stay Efficiency of SISKEL/EBERT, as Zack Mast and Stephen Winchell Deliver Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel to Life on Stage
Champaign, IL, February 26, 2026 — Ebertfest: The Final Dance, also called Roger Ebert’s Movie Competitionthe annual movie competition co-founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Roger Ebert and Chaz Ebert and held on the historic Virginia Theatre, right now introduced the preliminary slate for what would be the competition’s ultimate version. The competition can be held on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, and can be devoted to filmmaker Rob Reinercelebrating his enduring contributions to American cinema and the humanistic storytelling lengthy championed by Ebert.
In honor of Rob Reinerthe competition will current a particular screening of The American Presidentstarring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. Directed by Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkinthe movie stays a defining work of contemporary American cinema, mixing idealism, romance, and political discourse with unusual heat and intelligence. The screening will function a centerpiece of this 12 months’s competition, celebrating Reiner’s enduring affect and his alignment with the considerate, audience-centered filmmaking championed by Roger Ebert. Visitor appearances related to The American President screening can be introduced at a later date.
“We’re particularly honored to acknowledge Rob Reiner this 12 months,” stated Chaz Ebert. “I had the pleasure of inviting Rob to Ebertfest final 12 months, and whereas he wasn’t capable of attend on the time, he shared how a lot he was trying ahead to becoming a member of us sooner or later. To now rejoice his extraordinary physique of labor and his deep dedication to storytelling feels extremely significant. We’re additionally proud to honor Robert Redford for his immeasurable contributions to unbiased filmmaking; his imaginative and prescient helped create a path for generations of filmmakers to inform daring, private tales.”
The lineup continues with Nurembergfrom Sony Photos Classicswritten and directed by James Vanderbilt. The movie stars Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Leo Woodall, John Slatteryand Mark O’Brienwith Richard E. Grant and Michael Shannon. Set because the Nuremberg trials are about to start, the movie follows a U.S. Military psychiatrist who turns into locked in a gripping psychological confrontation with accused Nazi struggle legal Hermann Göring, delivering a tense and well timed examination of justice, energy, and ethical reckoning. Michael BarkerCo-Founder and Co-President of Sony Photos Classics, can be in attendance, with further friends to be introduced.
Bringing the spirit of movie criticism itself to life on stage, SISKEL/EBERT sees Stephen Winchell and Zack Mast take the stage to embody the final word small-screen duo, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebertin a theatrical tribute to Siskel & Ebert & the Films. In a manufacturing that straddles the road between reenactment and parody, director Katlin Schneider brings again one of many pair’s most heated half-hours, a full-bore dialogue of Full Metallic Jacket and sideways sparring round different well-known (and not-so-famous) movies of the 1987 summer season season. A solid re-creates the film clips stay on stage as Siskel and Ebert duke it out over what it actually means to be a movie critic.
“Co-founding Ebertfest with Roger has been one of many nice joys of my life,” stated Ebert. What started as a celebration of movies we cherished grew to become a phenomenal neighborhood that has gathered 12 months after 12 months to share tales, empathy, and the magic of cinema collectively. I’m so grateful to have been a part of all of it these years, together with Nate, and I really imagine Roger could be deeply happy — and possibly somewhat amazed — that it has continued, grown, and thrived for therefore lengthy in his absence. This Final Dance is each a celebration and a thanks to everybody who helped carry it ahead.”
Ebertfest has lengthy stood as a celebration of movies that problem, transfer, and join us. With The Final Dancethe competition marks a ultimate chapter, bringing filmmakers and audiences collectively one final time to honor the enduring emotional, mental, and humanistic energy of cinema. Extra programming particulars and ticket data can be introduced.
Ebertfest passes are presently out there for buy on-line or by calling the Virginia Theatre field workplace at 217-356-9063. An Particular person Reserved Seating Competition Cross, which incorporates admission to all movies, is $150 plus a $9.00 processing payment per move. A Reserved 1-Day Competition Cross is out there for $75.00 plus a $6.00 processing payment. Particular person Reserved Seating Tickets are $20.00 plus a $3.00 processing payment per ticket. Particular person movie tickets will go on sale April 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Roger Ebert was a Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic for the Chicago Solar-Occasionsa College of Illinois journalism alumnus, and an Urbana native.
Chaz Ebert can also be the writer of the indie bestseller It’s Time to Give A FECK: Elevating Humanity by way of Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness.
Ebertfest is hosted by Chaz Ebert and Nate Kohnthe competition director for the reason that very starting.
To grow to be a supporting Competition Sponsor, please contact Sonia Evans – sonia@ebertdigital.com.
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