SAVOY, IL (Chambana Today) — After a brief summer break, the Chambana Film Society (CFS) is making a major return to the Champaign-Urbana arts scene. Kicking things off is the inaugural Cinesonic Music Film Festival, set for September 21–22 at the Savoy 16 + IMAX, followed by the launch of The Savoy Arthouse, a new weekly screening series focused on independent and thought-provoking cinema.
The Cinesonic Music Film Festival features five screenings dedicated to exploring the relationship between film and music. It opens with a special $1 screening of Where Are You, Jay Bennett?, a documentary honoring the late Wilco musician and longtime Champaign-Urbana resident. Directors Fred Uhter and Gorman Bechard are expected to attend for a post-film Q&A. “Jay was not just a musician; he was a local icon who poured his heart into music right here in our backyard,” said CFS Director Nat Dykeman. “To honor his legacy with a film premiere and a conversation with the directors felt like the perfect way to begin.”
That screening is followed by narrative short films centered around music, and then a creative double feature of Buster Keaton’s silent classics—Balloonatics, re-scored by electronic artist Amon Tobin, and Sherlock Jr., set to the music of R.E.M.
The festival concludes Monday night with It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, a brand-new documentary by Amy Berg (Janis: Little Girl Blue, West of Memphis, The Case Against Adnan Syed), which recently premiered at Sundance. The film examines the brief but powerful career of singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, who released one seminal album before his untimely death. “There’s a clear hunger for independent film in this community,” said Dykeman, who has over two decades of experience in film programming. “We want to give people the same sense of discovery and connection they once found at The Art Theater.”
The Savoy Arthouse: Weekly Screenings Begin in October
In response to the community’s call for more indie film programming, CFS is launching The Savoy Arthouse—a weekly Sunday screening series also hosted at Savoy 16 + IMAX. Each screening will highlight independent, international, or underrepresented films, with many events featuring post-film Q&As and guest speakers. “The first year of screenings was about learning and refining systems, and building an audience,” said Dykeman. “Now it’s about building bridges—to other people, organizations, and ideas.”
Here’s a look at the October lineup:
October 5 – 3pm: Animation Mixtape
A collection of animated shorts curated by Don Hertzfeldt, a two-time Oscar® nominee and Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, known for his emotionally rich and surreal films.
October 12 – 3pm: 25 Cats from Qatar
A heartwarming documentary following Katy McHugh, a Milwaukee cat café owner, as she travels to the Middle East to rescue feral cats. “This film seems more like a movement than a movie,” said Dykeman. A Q&A with director Mye Hoang will follow the screening.
October 12 – 5:30pm: My Omaha — $5
Presented in partnership with IRLMovieClub.org, this intimate documentary follows filmmaker Nick Beaulieu as he navigates activism in his divided hometown while coming to terms with his relationship with his terminally ill, pro-Trump father.
October 19 – 3pm: Perfect Days
Directed by Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas), this visually stunning film follows Hirayama, a Tokyo toilet cleaner, who finds beauty in daily rituals, music, and literature. “Perfect Days is both deeply moving and visually stunning,” said Sanford Hess, former operator of Champaign’s Art Theater and new CFS curator.
A post-film discussion will follow, featuring Hess and local critic Chike Coleman.
October 26 – 3pm: Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
Timed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this new documentary—directed by the son of creator Richard O’Brien—traces the show’s cult legacy. Features interviews with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, and Trixie Mattel. The screening follows a Rocky Horror showing at the Virginia Theatre the night before.
Found Footage Festival Returns: Friday, Nov. 21 – 7pm
Back by popular demand, the Found Footage Festival returns with Volume 11, showcasing hilariously bizarre VHS finds from a collection of over 14,000 tapes. Hosted by comedians Joe Pickett (The Onion) and Nick Prueher (Late Show with David Letterman), the program straddles the line between stand-up and cinema. “Highlights include a psychotic dollar store salesman, terrifying porcelain dolls, and two earnest Bigfoot documentaries,” said Dykeman.
“If you want to know more about Joe and Nick, I recommend watching Chop & Steele or Winnebago Man.”
Tickets, Info & Community Impact
Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $10 and available at chambanafilmsociety.org. Some events, such as My Omaha, are subsidized to increase access.
More than entertainment, Dykeman says CFS is about conversation, connection, and creativity. “We’re not just showing films—we’re creating spaces for conversation, reflection, and community,” he said. “Our mission is to spark imagination and build bridges through cinema.”
About the Chambana Film Society
Founded in 2024, the Chambana Film Society is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive film culture in Champaign-Urbana. Through year-round programming—including the Savoy Lumière Festival, the Cinesonic Music Film Festival, and The Savoy Arthouse—CFS aims to showcase bold, independent films and create lasting connections between filmmakers and audiences.
For the full schedule, tickets, or media inquiries, visit www.chambanafilmsociety.org.
