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?
Posted in Business Matters, Documentary, Gone Hollywood, Job Opportunities, Media Coverage, Production Updates, Streaming Cinema | 
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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.
Posted in Bittersweet Places, Business Matters, Documentary, For the Children, Media Coverage, Mendota an' Movies, Preservation, Public Events, Theatres & Venues | Comments Off on Ozoners rev it up for Drive-in Day
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.
Posted in Alums Done Good, Gone Hollywood, Media Coverage, Mendota an' Movies, Personalities du C-U, Sad Places | Comments Off on ‘Thirty’ for Murray, more in 2022
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.
Posted in Area Festivals, Gone Hollywood, Media Coverage, Public Events, Roger Ebert, Theatres & Venues | Comments Off on ‘Ebertfest’ ’23 to project empathy
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.
Posted in Bittersweet Places, Documentary, Home Videos du C-U, Media Coverage, Music Video, Personalities du C-U, Public Events, Streaming Cinema | Comments Off on MVD gives Jay Bennett RSD love
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.
Posted in Area Festivals, Gone Hollywood, Media Coverage, Public Events, Roger Ebert, Theatres & Venues | Comments Off on Virginia ready for Ebertfest return
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.
Posted in Alums Done Good, Chicago Stories, Gone Hollywood, Home Videos du C-U, Media Coverage, Streaming Cinema | Comments Off on Local lore informs SIGNAL, LANE
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.
Posted in Alums Done Good, Gone Hollywood, Media Coverage, Mendota an' Movies, Personalities du C-U, Sad Places | Comments Off on ‘Thirty’ for Murray, others in 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.
Posted in Article du C-U, Business Matters, Home Videos du C-U, Job Opportunities, Media Coverage, Mendota an' Movies, Public Events | Comments Off on Morton movie LOVE is now served
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!
Posted in Business Matters, Media Coverage, Miscellaneous Merch, Production Updates, Streaming Cinema | Comments Off on New is NFTy for OWNER director
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!
Posted in Area Festivals, Article du C-U, Champaign Movie Makers, Media Coverage, Production Updates, Public Events, Streaming Cinema | Comments Off on Wave of terror SLAYS the state
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!
Posted in Business Matters, Documentary, Education/Classes, Happy Places, Media Coverage, Preservation, Student Film, The Old School, Videos du C-U | Comments Off on ISU video crew high on ‘Mother’
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.
Posted in Broadcast Dates, Crowdsourcing du C-U, Job Opportunities, Media Coverage, Production Updates, Videos du C-U | Comments Off on L’episode un C-U: PEORIA plays TV
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.
Posted in Business Matters, Images du C-U, Media Coverage, Ones That Got Away?, Preservation, Sad Places, The Old School, Theatres & Venues | Comments Off on August and everything NAFFter
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.
Posted in Bittersweet Places, Business Matters, Documentary, Education/Classes, Media Coverage, Preservation, Student Film, Videos du C-U | Comments Off on Student art doc wins BEA award