This week ahead of the Roger Ebert Film Festival which runs Wednesday through Saturday, we get what may be one of my favorite features of Ebertfest week: the pre-festival symposium.
The 2024 Chaz and Roger Ebert symposium is on the theme of representations and their critics. Presenters include Megan Cruz, Bobbi Miller, Michael Phillips, and Dana Stevens. Cruz, a pop culture commentator, writer and producer, is also host of The Broad Perspective Pod. Miller is a culture critic and hosts the Afternoon Special podcast. Roger Ebert fellows mentor Michael Phillips is a film critic for the Chicago Tribune and easy to find on Rotten Tomatoes. Finally, Dana Stevens is Slate’s film critic and a co-host of Slate’s Culture Gabfest. Tuesday evening includes a screening at the University of Illinois’ Spurlock Museum about film and representation, curated by the panel. Wednesday morning’s session at the Siebel Center for Design will feature an interactive panel discussion over coffee and pastries.
I am – literally – more excited about the symposium than any other single event this week. I grew up that nerd who wanted to be a film critic or a play director, or both. Instead of memorizing “The Raven” in 7th grade, I remember asking Mrs. King if I could recite my review of the film Meatballs. Ah, the savvy nuanced writings of a 12-year-old film critic. This week, my podcast addiction is in high gear and I am geeking out in anticipation of what promises to be an important discussion about representation in film and the interpretive power of media critics. As the Lisa Simpson of conferences and symposia, I’ll be in the front row taking copious notes.
Chaz and Roger Ebert Symposium
Knight Auditorium at Spurlock Museum
600 S Gregory
Urbana
April 16, 7-9 p.m.
Free
Also on Zoom, register here
Starlight Room at Siebel Center for Design
1208 S Fourth
Champaign
April 17, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Free
Also on Zoom, register here
