CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The much-anticipated final Roger Ebert Film Festival in Champaign is opening ticket sales later this week, marking the end of an era.

The Virginia Theatre announced on Tuesday that tickets for “Ebertfest: One Last Dance” will be available starting Friday at 10 a.m. Film enthusiasts can secure their seats by visiting the Virginia Theatre’s website.

In a news release, staff highlighted that the best deal is the Ebertfest Film Festival Pass, which grants access to all eight movie screenings during the renowned two-day event at the Virginia Theatre. Passholders will enjoy the exclusive benefit of staying inside the theatre between screenings.

Festival Passes are priced at $150, with an additional processing fee of $9. For those interested in specific films, individual tickets will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, April 1.

The 2026 Ebertfest, aptly titled “One Last Dance,” will be the final installment hosted at the Virginia Theatre. According to festival co-founder Chaz Ebert, the decision to conclude the festival in its current form follows federal budget cuts impacting the University of Illinois’ College of Media, making it unsustainable to continue the tradition as it has been for 25 years.

However, input from past Ebertfest attendees led to Ebert deciding to host one final edition instead of ending it in 2025. Patterning the 2026 festival after the Chicago Bulls documentary “The Last Dance,” she said it will be a “joyous celebration, as always” of film and a celebration of the festival’s 25-year run at the Virginia Theatre.

A total of eight films will be shown across the two-day festival. The full film schedule will be posted later this winter.