Archive for the 'Media Coverage' Category

Indies eye Illinois as filming locale

Thursday, July 6th, 2023

Several indies filmed in part or whole in downstate Illinois during the last few years are finally emerging, and half of them were not initiated by local producers. How do we fare in our visitors’ fields of vision?

Ozoners rev it up for Drive-in Day

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Get outside this summer and enjoy the pleasures of the drive-in theater, whether on National Drive-in Day or any other time they’re showing movies, serving up goodies, and bringing folks together.

‘Thirty’ for Murray, more in 2022

Thursday, June 1st, 2023

We pause to reflect on those who did not get to share their creativity, compassion, and community with the rest of us in 2023, except for in the memories and legacies they’ve left in our care.

‘Ebertfest’ ’23 to project empathy

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

Roger Ebert’s Film Festival is set to captivate Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, for Year 23 from April 18-22, 2023. Here are the base details and important resources for you to know.

MVD gives Jay Bennett RSD love

Sunday, April 24th, 2022

The late musician and Urbana resident Jay Bennett is the subject of new documentary and record releases, WHERE ARE YOU, JAY BENNETT?, now available nationwide through MVD Entertainment Group.

Virginia ready for Ebertfest return

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

CUBlog resumes posting just in time for the resuscitation of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival! Year 22 launches later tonight at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, and we have the schedule.

Local lore informs SIGNAL, LANE

Tuesday, January 11th, 2022

The specters of Illinois urban legends form the basis of a pair of brand-new indie features, LANTERN’S LANE from Vertical Entertainment and BROADCAST SIGNAL INTRUSION from Dark Sky Films.

‘Thirty’ for Murray, others in 2021

Friday, December 31st, 2021

This has been a very long year. Whether it’s been better or worse than the year before is debatable. Let’s put the soapboxes aside and remember those who are no longer here for 2022.

Morton movie LOVE is now served

Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

Gemelli Films of Brookhaven, NY, has taken a liking to downstate Illinois. The first result of this team-up, BAKING UP LOVE, arrived in stores nationwide in November through SP Releasing, Inc.

New is NFTy for OWNER director

Monday, November 15th, 2021

The creators of UNLISTED OWNER strike again! This time, they stake out real estate in blockchain territory with their original made-for-NFT short film, TRICK NOT TREAT. Purchase the key today!

Wave of terror SLAYS the state

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Trick or treat! Five indie horror flicks originating in or adjacent to the meat-and-potatoes midsection of Illinois make the cut in our new marathon report. Come along for the haywire hayride, hardy souls!

ISU video crew high on ‘Mother’

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

As an aside to a tangent, we vicariously saunter about Mother Murphy’s of Normal, IL, thanks to another student project born at Illinois State University, ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. Take a trip with us!

L’episode un C-U: PEORIA plays TV

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020

In the first part of our limited series on independently-produced dramatic television in central Illinois, we peek at the progress being made by PEORIA creator Michael Mcgruder and his personnel.

August and everything NAFFter

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

Ye Ed is rooting for the film culture of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to rebound from the turbulence of recent years. Not everything will survive, such as the theaters he recently photographed.

Student art doc wins BEA award

Monday, August 3rd, 2020

What is reasonable give-and-take when a city is attempting to improve its central hub? The student project MAKING A MURAL illustrates the issue with an artistic conundrum in Normal, Illinois.