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Our movie and media Calendar appears every Friday\/Saturday on <\/em>C-U Blogfidential<\/span><\/strong> and caters to the downstate region anchored by Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA.<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n MILESTONES | Happy Birthday to You!<\/strong><\/p>\n 1\/16: Zoe Southlynn-Savage (special events manager, Champaign Park District, Champaign, IL) \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed<\/strong><\/p>\n 3\/2023: Robert Carringer, 81 (English and cinema studies professor, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, retired)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said<\/strong><\/p>\n Well, that<\/em> erupted quickly! We\u2019re apparently not done with dumping links on our dearest readers via the Report<\/strong> for we\u2019ll now explore the film events coming our way shortly in Champaign-Urbana<\/strong> and beyond!<\/p>\n There\u2019s a fair amount to see on local screens but it helps to know where to look for the smaller-scale and more interesting fare. Essentially a biannual event at this point, timed as it is by the Department of Dance<\/strong> at the University of Illinois<\/strong> as a \u201cwelcome back\u201d gesture to the campus ecosystem at the beginning of each semester, the Flatlands Dance Film Festival<\/strong> returns<\/a><\/span> with a short film program for some artistic wintertime viewing; the show will be held in Knight Auditorium<\/strong> at the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures<\/strong> next Friday, January 24<\/strong>, starting at 7 p.m.<\/strong> If you return to the same venue in three weeks, you can also attend the third CU International Film Festival<\/strong> on Saturday, February 15<\/strong>, to enjoy a selection of quality shorts from all over the world; you need to commit and go prepared, however, as you have a window between February 1<\/strong> and February 12<\/strong> to reserve your free ticket online<\/a><\/span> and claim it on site once the doors open at 6:30 p.m.<\/strong> that evening. After a red-carpet walk, master of ceremonies Max Libman<\/strong> will host the screening at 7:30 p.m.<\/strong> and expound on how their films aim to \u201centertain, educate, and elevate.\u201d<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n We also have upcoming events that require some confirmation as well as collaboration. Andrew Stengele<\/strong> of Champaign Movie Makers<\/strong> shared on Facebook<\/strong> a call for entries, launched by the Rantoul Theatre Group<\/strong><\/a><\/span> for a brand-new event called the Rantoul Film Festival<\/strong>, which will close after February 28<\/strong> and has a nominal $5 entry fee; a date for the showing at the Rantoul Business Center<\/strong> has yet to be announced and the money raised, including donations, will be split to help fund the theater as well as local domestic violence agencies. Also approaching quickly is CMM\u2019s own 48-hour filmmaking contest<\/strong>, for which teams can gather the weekend of January 31-February 2<\/strong> and make their short subjects from start to finish within the time frame, reflecting prompts that will be handed out at the Lincoln Square<\/strong> mall of downtown Urbana on the 31st; get some friends on board and register very soon to have some fun!<\/a><\/span> Creators du C-U should also plan ahead to participate in this year\u2019s Pens to Lens<\/strong> productions; the area\u2019s youth who are enrolled in grades K-12 or are in the comparable age bracket can submit their original screenplays by Friday, February 28<\/strong>, and the participation guidelines for their parents and teachers are available at this website<\/a><\/span>. The gala premiere of the films is set for August at the Virginia Theatre<\/strong> in downtown Champaign.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Oh, what else to we have to see? The Chambana Film Festival<\/strong> will emerge from the holiday break with a string of screenings<\/a><\/span> at the Phoenix Savoy 16<\/strong> in Savoy<\/strong> beginning in a week on Sunday, January 26, 4 p.m.<\/strong> with the self-descriptive documentary, AFTER THE FALL: TWO GENERATIONS OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT<\/strong>; the schedule continues a week later on February 2<\/strong> with THE THINKING GAME<\/strong>, a documentary about the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), and three consecutive Sunday presentations of the 2024 Oscar<\/strong>-nominated short films starting on February 16<\/strong> and finishing the afternoon before the Academy Awards<\/strong> presentation on March 2<\/strong>. Following in the footsteps of Thomas Nicol<\/strong>\u2019s THE VENUS GAMBIT<\/strong>, which we mentioned in last week\u2019s Report<\/strong>, is the premiere and meet-casual at Urbana\u2019s Analog Wine Bar<\/strong> on Saturday, January 25, 6 p.m.<\/strong>, for a new short subject called PERMANENT RESIDENCE<\/strong><\/a><\/span>; made in town with assistance from Nicol, Chambana\u2019s Nat Dykeman<\/strong>, GAMBIT<\/strong> actor Matthew Green<\/strong>, and artist Matt K<\/strong>, the piece by writer-director Bi An<\/strong> is an immigration story that is apparently told not in the typical manner. Get on your feet and get thee involved in our film culture!<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n And to close, primarily as a follow-up to other points in last week\u2019s Report<\/strong>, who else do we have to hear from and read? C-U resident and avid movie fan Chike Coleman<\/strong>, a co-host of the REEL REVIEWS<\/span><\/strong> show on Urbana Public Television<\/strong> with Sanford Hess<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, has apparently taken a breather from the cable access airwaves as well as writing for his website, The Wheelchair Watcher<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>, over the last year; we hope he is doing well and that more is in store. The pause button has also been hit for the last year on Family Home Theater<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>, the forum overseen by James Plath<\/strong> of the English department at Illinois Wesleyan University<\/strong> in Bloomington<\/strong>; he\u2019d like to transfer ownership to someone interested in keeping the site going and will field queries about it, as is stated on the sister Facebook page<\/a><\/span>. Not slowing down one iota is Brad Jones<\/strong>, known to his fan base as The Cinema Snob<\/strong>, who moved from Springfield<\/strong> to Chicagoland with his wife Laura<\/strong> and the Stoned Gremlin Productions<\/strong> hustle in order to have access to all the theatrical flicks and novelty snacks he can handle; now the proud dad of an infant son, the Snob can still muster a few informative and snarky videos per week on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/span> in an effort that is undoubtedly \u201cLloyd Approved.\u201d<\/p>\n These activity suggestions should keep everyone busy in our immediate future while we bow out of Report<\/strong>-ing for a couple of months after next week\u2019s post. The Calendar<\/strong> itself will be compiled as usual, so be sure to send over any relevant dates for us to add by writing cuconfidential [at] gmail [dot] com<\/strong>!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing Our Scene on the Screen<\/strong><\/p>\n Anyone for another quick and lively entry this week? Acrostar Productions<\/strong> is promoting the imminent commercial release of their movies through BayView Entertainment<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and, at last, we have confirmation<\/a><\/span> that among the wave of titles to be introduced on multiple streaming platforms next week are ATTACK OF THE CORN ZOMBIES<\/strong> and NIGHT OF THE DEAD SORORITY BABES<\/strong>. We also have learned THEY CAME BACK FROM SOMEWHERE<\/strong> will join them in the near future. So, when you go looking for your fix of good-natured, genre-friendly flicks done the Acrostar way, watch for graphics like the ones you see below; fans of the Chicagoland indie studio should be familiar with the promo cards for CORN ZOMBIES<\/strong> and SORORITY BABES<\/strong>, although it looks like THEY CAME BACK<\/strong> received a new coat of digital paint for the occasion. BayView-branded trailers for all three are available at this YouTube<\/strong> account<\/a><\/span> and a fresh new teaser for RETURN OF THE CORN ZOMBIES<\/strong>, which will also be handled by the New Jersey<\/strong>-based firm, was just introduced on Facebook<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. The current round of filming activity for Acro-head S. j. Herman<\/strong>, producer Ann Myrna<\/strong>, and their loyal players and partners includes the feature PERFECT SOUL<\/strong> and a second batch of SPLINTERED LOVE<\/strong> episodes, the latter of which are being filmed as we write and the former slated for production in the spring. Do keep abreast of Acro-business by joining their online group<\/a><\/span> and pitching in when you can, especially for when they gather in central Illinois<\/strong> to make their movies!<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area<\/strong><\/p>\n @ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL<\/strong> Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional \u201cNow Playing\u201d and \u201cComing Soon\u201d listings appear after the jump!<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n @ AMC Classic Springfield 12, Springfield, IL<\/strong> @ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL<\/strong> @ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL<\/strong> @ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL<\/strong> @ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL<\/strong> @ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL<\/strong> @ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL<\/strong> @ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL<\/strong> @ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL<\/strong> @ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Midwest<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Chicago Filmmakers Historic Firehouse Cinema, Chicago, IL<\/strong> For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, please visit the fine folks at<\/em> Cine-File<\/strong> and subscribe to their definitive \u201cCine-List\u201d weekly blast<\/a><\/span>. And for northern Illinois industry news, be sure to read<\/em> Reel Chicago<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span> and<\/em> Screen Magazine<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMING SOON | Area-wide Events<\/strong><\/p>\n 1\/24<\/strong> NEW! 1\/25<\/strong> NEW! 1\/31-2\/2<\/strong> 1\/31-2\/1<\/strong> NEW! 2\/4<\/strong> 2\/15<\/strong> 3\/27-3\/29<\/strong> 4\/3-4\/13<\/strong> 4\/3-4\/10<\/strong> 4\/23\/-4\/25<\/strong> 5\/29-6\/2<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area<\/strong><\/p>\n UPDATE! Chambana Film Festival* screening series<\/strong> Illini Union Board presents \u201cSpring 2024 Weekend Films\u201d<\/strong> Springfield Art Association presents the 31st annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series<\/strong> ~~~~~<\/p>\n
\n1\/18: Michelle Kaffko Ebner (owner, Organic Headshots, Chicago, IL)
\n1\/19: Mark Roberts (creator, Bad Mule Rag<\/span> & The Lonely Banjo<\/span>, Bad Mule Inc., Red Hook, NY)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nChampaign Movie Makers* meeting (1\/20, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nAUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR, ONE OF THEM DAYS, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, WOLF MAN, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, CONCLAVE*, DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA, FROM GROUND ZERO: STORIES FROM GAZA* (documentary; in Arabic with English sub), THE LAST SHOWGIRL*, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED, THE WILD ROBOT* (animation) (1\/17 on), BRAVE THE DARK, THE BRUTALIST, FLIGHT RISK, PRESENCE (1\/23 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nINTERSTELLAR* (re-release; IMAX), ONE OF THEM DAYS, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, SING SING, WOLF MAN, BABYGIRL, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA, THE LAST SHOWGIRL, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED, THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (1\/17 on), BETTER MAN* (1\/17-1\/18, 1\/20-1\/23), INTERSTELLAR (standard) (1\/19, 3 & 7 p.m.; 1\/20, 1\/22, 7 p.m.), THE GOONIES 40th anniversary (1\/19, 4 & 7 p.m.; 1\/20, 7 p.m.), MARKED MEN: RULE & SHAW (1\/22-1\/23, 7 p.m.), *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nSpringfield Art Association presents the 31st annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series feat. TAKING VENICE (1\/19, 1 & 4 p.m.; 1\/21, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nTHE ORDER, WOLF MAN, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (1\/16-1\/19)<\/p>\n
\nAUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR, ONE OF THEM DAYS, WOLF MAN, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (1\/17 on)<\/p>\n
\nWOLF MAN, HOMESTEAD (faith film) (1\/17 on)<\/p>\n
\nCARS (animation) (1\/19, 2 p.m., free), \u201cSilver Screen Series\u201d feat. CASABLANCA (1\/23, 1 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nAUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR, ONE OF THEM DAYS, SING SING, WOLF MAN, ANORA, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA, THE FIRE INSIDE, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, PUSHPA 2: THE RULE \u201cRELOADED\u201d* (in Telugu with English sub), SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED, THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (1\/17 on), THE GOONIES 40th anniversary (1\/19, 3 & 6:30 p.m.; 1\/20, 6:30 p.m.), A24 x IMAX present TALK TO ME (1\/22, 7 p.m., IMAX), MARKED MEN: RULE & SHAW (1\/22-1\/23, 7:30 p.m.), PAY DIRT: THE STORY OF SUPERCROSS (documentary) (1\/22, 6:30 p.m.), BRAVE THE DARK, FLIGHT RISK (1\/23 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nTHE SUBSTANCE (1\/17), Coalescence Theatre Project presents #notacult or Camp Hope: An Interview Retrospective of the Accidental Cult that Started an Actual Movement<\/span> (1\/18-1\/19, 2 & 7:30 p.m.), SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (1\/21), SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D\u2019ETAT (1\/23)<\/p>\n
\nSONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (1\/17-1\/19)<\/p>\n
\nMUFASA: THE LION KING (1\/17-1\/19)<\/p>\n
\nWISH YOU WERE HERE*, WOLF MAN, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (1\/17 on), THE GOONIES 40th anniversary (1\/19-1\/20, 4 & 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nChicago Filmmakers presents \u201cPicture ReStart\u201d series, \u201cHer Expansive Self\u201d program (1\/18, 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nFlatlands Dance Film Festival* Short Film Competition 2025
\n@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
\nPERMANENT RESIDENCE* short film premiere
\n@ Analog Wine Library, Urbana, IL, 6 p.m., free<\/p>\n
\nChampaign Movie Makers* 48 Hour Film Competition
\n@ Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL, 1\/31, 7 p.m.\u20132\/2, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
\nB-Fest 2025
\n@ Norris University Center, NU, Evanston, IL, 6 p.m.-6 p.m.<\/p>\n
\nChampaign Movie Makers* 48 Hour Film Competition screening
\n@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, 7 p.m., free<\/p>\n
\n3rd annual CU International Film Festival*
\n@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/p>\n
\n2025 Big Muddy Film Festival*
\n@ The Varsity Center, Carbondale, IL<\/p>\n
\n35th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n
\n27th annual Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI<\/p>\n
\n25th Roger Ebert\u2019s Film Festival*
\n@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL<\/p>\n
\nThe Chambana Film Festival
\n@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL<\/p>\n
\n@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.<\/strong>
\n1\/26: AFTER THE FALL: TWO GENERATIONS OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT; 2\/2: The IRLMovieClub Screening feat. THE THINKING GAME; 2\/16-3\/2: The Oscar Nominated Shorts 2025 \u2013 Live Action (2\/16), Documentary (2\/23), and Animation (2\/16, 3\/2)<\/p>\n
\n@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w\/i-card<\/strong>
\n1\/24-1\/25 SMILE 2; 1\/31-2\/1: VENOM: THE LAST DANCE; 2\/7-2\/8: CONCLAVE; 2\/14-2\/15: THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (animation); 2\/21-2\/22: GLADIATOR II: 2\/28-3\/1: SEPTEMBER 5; 3\/7-3\/8: WICKED; 3\/14-3\/15: MUFASA: THE LION KING; 3\/21-3\/22: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM (animation); 3\/28-3\/29: PITCH PERFECT; 4\/4-4\/5: NOSFERATU; 4\/11-4\/12: WALL-E (animation); 4\/18-4\/19: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3; 4\/25-4\/26: THE WILD ROBOT (animation); 5\/2-5\/3: CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD; 5\/4: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS<\/p>\n
\n@ AMC Classic Springfield 12, Springfield, IL, 1 & 4 p.m. Sunday + 7 p.m. Tuesday<\/strong>
\n1\/26, 1\/28: NOWHERE SPECIAL; 2\/2, 2\/4: CROSSING; 2\/9, 2\/11: THELMA; 2\/16, 2\/18: TOUCH; 2\/23, 2\/25: THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN; 3\/2, 3\/ 4: THE TASTE OF THINGS<\/p>\n