The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Mid-America Chapter has awarded Shatterglass Studios of Champaign-Urbana for an Emmy award in the Interstitial category for their retrospective documentary of the 14th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival.

The winning production is a 10-minute film documenting the beloved festival, which took place from April 25th to April 29th, 2012, and focuses on the experience of attendees, both newcomers and devoted fans, many of whom have attended every year.  The film also examines the unique experience of the festival through the eyes of special guests, such as Oscar-nominated actor, Michael Shannon (TAKE SHELTER), directors Alrick Brown (KINYARWANDA) and Robert Siegel (BIG FAN) and legendary cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt (JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO).  The retrospective is an examination of the lasting legacy of Roger Ebert and his passion for film, revealed through poetic reflections by guests, such as celebrated filmmaker and multiple Ebertfest guest, Paul Cox.

For the past 15 years, Roger and Chaz Ebert, in association with the University of Illinois College of Media, hold a 5-day film festival, dubbed “Ebertfest,” in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Roger’s home town. The festival takes place at the historic Virginia Theater in the heart of downtown Champaign. Major filmmakers, stars, historians, critics and film-lovers from all over the world come to experience this annual celebration that includes films both old and new, hand-picked by Roger himself with the help of Chaz and festival director, Nate Kohn.

The award was presented at the 37th Mid-America EMMY® Gala on Saturday, October 5 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Shatterglass Studios is a full service production company dedicated to producing high-quality, high-impact new media and film. Based in Champaign-Urbana, the business is a creative agency of young filmmakers who pride themselves on understanding the intricacies of influential and meaningful storytelling. They create films, commercials, corporate branding videos, industrial videos and promotional videos.  In 2012 they were voted the Champaign County Small Business of the Year Award by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.