The host of the annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival says each film’s attendance should not be used a litmus test for overall success.
Chaz Ebert’s comments opened the 18th annual event at the Virginia Theater in Champaign Wednesday night. They came in response to an article in the Champaign News-Gazette earlier this week.
The article cited lower sales of festival passes in the last three years, listed movie screenings that made the most money, and those that brought in less than $1,000 in ticket sales.
Ebert, wife of the late film critic, Urbana native Robert Ebert, says she didn’t understand the purpose of the article.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is not a sporting event. We don’t compare one movie against the other. This is a cultural and arts and educational event.”
Thursday's News-Gazette featured an op-ed piece from Chaz Ebert replying to the article. At Ebertfest last Wednesday night, Ebert said the film festival displays a spirit of collaboration and cooperation in a way that’s not often found in daily life.
Ebertfest opened Wednesday with a screening of ‘Crimson Peak,' described as a “gothic romance" by its director Guillermo Del Toro, who was a guest of the festival.