Ebert Symposium Series Kick-Off

This fall, the College of Media presents the Ebert Symposium Series with three virtual panel discussions. Join us online starting Thursday, Oct. 8, with a panel on The Movie Industry in a Time of Change, moderated by Ebertfest co-founder Chaz Ebert and Ebertfest director Nate Kohn. The panel will examine the film industry in a time of great change, from the global pandemic wrought by COVID-19 to the protests following the death of George Floyd and concomitant efforts to dismantle systemic racism in the United States. The filmmaker panel will also discuss how movies get made, who gets to make them, and how movies get to be seen and exhibited in light of recent challenges. 

Panelists include Michael Barker, co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics; Neal Block, head of distribution and marketing for Magnolia Pictures; filmmaker Melissa Haizlip; Darrien Michele Gipson, executive director of SAGindie; filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee; filmmaker Mary Mazzio; Nina Shaw, founding partner in the entertainment law firm of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano; and filmmaker Christine Swanson.

To submit discussion questions to the panelists, please fill out this form in advance of the event.

The Ebert Symposium Series continues on Thursday, Oct. 22, for a discussion on Documentary Film and Social Change, and Thursday, Nov. 5, for a discussion on Representation in Media, both moderated by College of Media faculty members.

See program details and updates at https://media.illinois.edu/EbertSymposium.