Jill Pilz | Stargazing at Ebertfest | Arts & Entertainment

CHAMPAIGN – Can you imagine if Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Michael Strahan came to Champaign to watch and analyze a football weekend with our community? That’s what Ebertfest is for movie lovers. Legendary filmmakers and stars from all over the world come here to share their work with us.

This was my pitch to my husband to lure him off Hulu’s “Ghost Adventures” and go to Ebertfest with me. I want him to understand that it’s not just about watching a movie, it’s about watching a movie. It’s about being in the same room as the people who created them.

Although this is not my first film festival, it is my first Ebertfest. About ten years ago, I attended the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan, and everyone who visited my house knew it because I proudly displayed the oversized, overpriced, specially framed pink velvet John Hughes tribute poster , in which there is the famous scene in “Sixteen Candles” in which Farmer Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) holds up the red heart-shaped underwear he borrowed from Samantha (Molly Ringwald).

In fact, I tend to over buy film festival memorabilia. If I could carry more items, I would buy them. Of course I need a 2014 Ebertfest t-shirt! A book explaining every episode of Mad Men? Yes, yes, and more! My favorite purchase so far is a light blue Ebertfest baseball cap that I wear to stay anonymous when listening to conversations between celebrities and fans.

Champagne doesn’t have a red carpet. Those who make films stand in the same concession line as those of us who see them. That’s what makes this movie so rare. Dr. Brand Fortner, one of the founding members of Ebertfest, even before it was called Ebertfest, said it best: “Other film festivals may have dozens of theaters showing films simultaneously. Our Ebertfest was limited by design—we only Use a theater. You see, other festivals are all about movies. Not this one. It’s about community.”

All Ebertfest films are screened at the legendary Virginia Theater, which is owned by our local Champaign Park District. That’s great news for a logistical challenger like me. As a bonus, I had no trouble finding parking.

To my amazement, I sat in the same theater and breathed the same popcorn-smelling air as incredible writers and directors like Edson Oda, whose beautiful film Nine Nine Days kicked off the festival. Every day, I see Oda mingling in the aisles between movies, letting anyone ask him a question.

Chaz Ebert even greeted me as she walked past me before a movie and walked to her seat. I tried to act calm, nodded at her, smiled softly, and of course, I see celebrities all the time. But seriously, I want to jump out of my seat, sit on the arm of her custom Carter chaise longue, even sit on her lap, and tell her how grateful I am to be hosting a feast in Champagne.

I wanted to say how sorry I am for her husband’s passing and how happy I am that she is carrying on his legacy. I want to hug her and tell her that attending this event has made me fall in love with my community all over again.

Not only do I overbought at film festivals, but I also tend to overprepare. I previewed some films in advance, watched “Life Itself” about Roger Ebert’s biography, and read every article I could find about the history of the festival. I’m not quite sure why. It’s not like Ebertfest director Nate Kohn is going to hand out a pop quiz for the name of the local paper (hint, hint) that Roger Ebert worked for before he became a movie critic. I guess I was overpreparing to make sure I didn’t miss any learning opportunities.

For this, I brought my favorite spiral notebook and took notes like Roger Ebert did while watching a movie. However, I couldn’t figure out how he did it after all. Writing in the dark is very difficult, if not impossible. But it seems Roger Ebert is the kind of guy who can do things that most mortals can’t.

That’s what I love most about Ebertfest. From films to Q&A sessions with writers, directors, producers and actors, and everything in between, learning is everywhere. For me, the only thing missing so far this year is my dearest husband. But hopefully after reading this, he’ll decide to watch “Forrest Gump” with me tonight.