Ebertfest hosts a number of academic panel discussions, bringing together filmmakers, critics, scholars, and students to discuss and educate the festival community on relevant trends and current industry cultural topics.  These panels are yet another way for us to dialogue and promote film as an art form.

2018 panels will be held at the Hyatt Place Hotel (217 N. Neil Street, Champaign, Illinois) and will be part of our livestream.  All panels are free and open to the public.  

2018 Panel Schedule: 

ACADEMIC PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Hyatt Place Hotel, 217 N. Neil Street, Champaign
Free and open to the public

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

9:00 am – 10:00 am
THE CRITICS' PANEL SPONSORED BY ROTTEN TOMATOES
CRITICAL MASS: THE FUTURE OF FILM CRITICISM
Moderated by Claudia Puig
Hyatt Place Hotel, Lower Level

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018

9:00 am – 10:00 am
THE ALLIANCE FOR INCLUSION AND RESPECT PANEL
CHALLENGING STIGMA THROUGH THE ARTS

Moderated by Eric Pierson
Hyatt Place Hotel, Lower Level

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018

10:15 am – 11:15 am
LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD: HOLLYWOOD IN THE TIME OF #MeToo and #TimesUp
Moderated by Carrie Rickey
Hyatt Place Hotel, Lower Level

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018

9:00 am – 10:00 am
FREE LECTURE:

THE LUMIÈRE BROTHERS AND THE BIRTH OF CINEMA
Led by Dr. Richard Neupert
Hyatt Place Hotel, Lower Level