Passes go on sale Tuesday for Ebertfest 2017 in Champaign

The countdown to Roger Ebert’s Film Festival begins Tuesday as passes go on sale for the 19th annual event next spring.

A pass allows access to every screening at Ebertfest, scheduled for April 19-23 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, with related events at other nearby locations.

A total of 1,000 passes will be made available for $150 each, plus processing fees. A four-pack goes for $510, a 15 percent discount.

Passes may be purchased through www.ebertfest.com, www.thevirginia.org or at the Virginia Theater box office, 203 W. Park Ave. in Champaign.

Tickets for individual movies will be available April 1.

Founded by Ebert, the Sun-Times’ late film critic, and his wife Chaz Ebert, the festival presents cinematic works overlooked by audiences, critics or distributors.