Congratulations to the three Ebert Fellows for 2017-18. These students were chosen from nearly two dozen who applied for the fellowships.

When it comes to the phrase “film festival,” students in Champaign-Urbana may first think of the Roger Ebert Film Festival, held every year at the Virginia Theatre in April. However, the Midwest supports hundreds of film festivals, small and large.

BY ASHISH VALENTINE, RIANE LENZNER-WHITE AND SHALAYNE PULIA

Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke box office records over the weekend, earning nearly $250 million in North America, based on studio estimates. 

Four decades after the first Star Wars hit theaters, different generations have approached the latest film in very different ways.

The following article was written for an Ebert Fellowship in memory of the late Roger Ebert. The fellowship works with the forthcoming Roger Ebert Center at the College of Media. Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips advises the Ebert fellows.