Today the Ebert Film Festival passes went on sale, and I went ahead and bought two. I think I mentioned this before, but the first year of the festival the passes were only $35. The 2007 festival sets you back a nice, even $100. Inflation? Better films and guests? Well, I think the biggest reason for the price increase is demand. Each year the festival passes sell out sooner than the previous year, even with the price increases. I imagine that all the passes would be sold out on Nov. 1 if they were still $50. I'm glad that I am assured of being able to buy a pass, as long as I don't tarry too long. The festival is a non-profit event I believe, and any extra money goes to the renovation of the Virginia Theater. So I really don't mind the price.
Individual tickets are $10, with a $2 discount for students. I don't recall this discount being available in the past. Perhaps not coincidentally there was some rumbling last year about the lack of students at the festival. It would be nice to see some young blood in the audience. Every year the crowd seems to get older and older. The time of year is extremely inconvenient to students though, thanks to its proximity to finals week. And while the festival is sponsored by the communications department, I think that the festival has more appeal to English majors.
