"Ebertfest": the documentary

The Big Ten Network and Illinois present "Ebertfest," a half-hour documentary showcasing the 10th anniversary of this premiere film festival, Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m., CST.

Pulitzer Prize winning movie critic and Illinois alumnus Roger Ebert hand selects films that he feels deserve a second look for his annual festival.

Throughout the four day event, each film is screened at the historic Virginia Theater in downtown Champaign and attended by internationally known actors and directors. This year's festival attendees included Illinois alumnus and Oscar winning director Ang Lee. "I'm proud to be a Fighting Illini," Lee said before presenting his 2003 film, Hulk.

Fresh from "The Sopranos", Aida Turturro and Joey Pantaliano brought their films Romance and Cigarettes and Canvas to "Ebertfest". Christine Lahti of "Chicago Hope" speaks of seeing her 1987 film, Housekeeping, again on the big screen. Also, Roger's wife Chaz Ebert, Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman, and University of Illinois President B. Joseph White recall their favorite festival memories and what "Ebertfest" means to the community and Illinois.