Independent film screenings to precede Chambana Film Festival
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Starting this weekend, the Chambana Film Festival will host a three-month independent film screening series to prototype their projected full festival debut in 2025.
The screenings will take place once a month at the Savoy 16 + IMAX, starting March 31. Each film will begin at 4 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month.
The independent film series acts as a launchpad into the first full-weekend, multi-screen Chambana Film Festival, which founder Nat Dykeman aims to open in May of next year.
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Here are the upcoming screenings that independent film enthusiasts in Champaign County can look forward to:
March 31: “QWERTY” (2012)
“QWERTY” is an award-winning romantic dramedy about two misfits who fall in love.
The film was produced by Chambana Film Festival Founder Nat Dykeman, who will be present for a Q&A following the free showing.
“QWERTY” played at over 20 film festivals and won several awards, including best film, music, and lead actress Dana Pupkin. Roger Ebert called the film “charming, winning and sweet” in his review in the Chicago Tribune.
April 28: “Trapped Balloon” (2022)
This drama stars Tôko Miura from the Oscar-winning film “Drive My Car.” According to IMDb, it follows the evolution of the relationship between three people: a woman, her father, and his “unsociable” neighbor.
The film was released in theaters across Japan in late 2022, but has only played at a handful of American film festivals since — despite a positive reception. The film earned several awards along the way, including Audience and Jury awards at The Lake County Film Festival — which Dykeman also founded and ran for 20 years — and top jury prize, best screenplay, cinematography, and lead actor awards at the RiverRun International Film Festival.
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May 26: “Bike Vessel” (2023)
A father and son cycle from St. Louis to Chicago in this “road trip movie”-esque documentary. The film examines racism and health disparities in the Black community as 70-year-old Donnie Seals Sr. endures three quadruple bypass surgeries and becomes a dedicated cyclist. He and his son, Eric D. Seals, decide to brave the 300-mile trek in four days.
While it is not yet set in stone, Chambana Film Festival officials expect Eric D. Seals will be available to talk about the film afterward.
“Bike Vessel” debuted at the Chicago International Film Festival, going on to play at the St. Louis International Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival.
Tickets for “Bike Vessel” and “Trapped Balloon” will be available for $10. “QWERTY” will be showing for free.
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