URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Gallery Art Bar is launching a new cinematic series, Film Fanatic Movie Nights, designed to celebrate bold and underappreciated films in a lively, communal atmosphere. The series premieres Thursday, December 18, 2025, with two screenings of Tarsem Singh’s 2006 cult favorite The Fall at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., projected on the venue’s giant screens with enhanced sound.

Each screening will be introduced by Paul Young, the series’ lead programmer, who says the goal is to turn every film into an event. “We want to create a film festival atmosphere where every screening feels like a special event,” says Young. “Each movie will also be preceded by a surprise short subject as well as printed film notes, and followed by a lively discussion — just like the best screenings I’ve attended at museums and film festivals.”

Regional film critic Chuck Koplinski, who will help lead post-film discussions, says the bar setting makes the series unique. “We want to foster a communal film experience in a relaxed bar setting where people can actually talk about what they’ve just seen. We have an intimate venue, top-notch projection, and massive screens. It’s the perfect place for film lovers to gather, hang out, and discuss. We’ll also be offering special themed cocktails for each film event, plus gourmet concessions appropriate for the movie of the evening.”

Young’s enthusiasm for the debut selection is both professional and personal. “‘The Fall’ is one of my favorite films of all time,” he says. “This movie is also one of the most visually intense films I have ever seen. This is visual art at its highest form, a profound emotional experience where the images, sound, and ideas merge into a timeless message that you won’t soon forget. I have never seen it projected on a big screen, and I’m thrilled to experience it the way it was meant to be seen.”

Nat Dykeman, director of the Chambana Film Society and a member of the advisory board, says The Fall is the perfect opening choice. “I’m excited that we are launching this film series with ‘The Fall’ because it’s probably my favorite film of all time,” Dykeman notes. “The film has a passionate and devoted following among the few people who have seen it. Fans who love this movie have seen it multiple times and are constantly recommending it to their friends. We think this is our target audience – people who seek out unusual films, fall passionately in love with their discoveries, and then want to share their finds with their friends. In other words, these people are more than just movie buffs, they’re film ‘fanatics,’ which is why we decided to call this new series Film Fanatic Movie Nights at the Gallery Art Bar.”

The mission of the new series is to revive the spirit of repertory theaters and highlight forgotten or overlooked gems. “Our goal is to bring back the spirit of repertory theaters and festivals like Ebertfest,” explains Young. “We intend to do the same and bring forgotten, underrated, obscure, unusual, daring movies to the public’s attention,” he says. “We also want to go beyond ‘art house’ offerings and bring grindhouse, midnight, cult, underground, and vintage fare to the spotlight. This is a bar atmosphere after all, so we should offer films that are bolder, more fun, and dare we say, for more ‘discerning tastes.’”

The series will also introduce Film-Fanatics.club, a new community-driven movie club whose members will help curate future screenings. “We want to create a hub for film fanatics to connect, share discoveries, and build friendships,” says Koplinski. “Members will have the opportunity to curate or present their favorite films, request and vote for their favorite movies for future screenings. Plus, we’ll offer a free drink to anyone who joins the club at our launch party.”

Advisory Committee

Programming for FILM FANATIC MOVIE NIGHTS is shaped by an advisory board of regional film experts and industry professionals, including:

  • Chuck Koplinski – regional film critic
  • Nat Dykeman – director, Chambana Film Society
  • Luke Boyce – director/writer/producer, Shatterglass Films
  • Sanford Hess – former operator of the Art Theatre
  • Geoff Merritt – former owner, That’s Rentertainment
  • Kim Robeson – Ebertfest committee member and host
  • Paul Young – retired Parkland College graphic design professor and lead programmer

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. on December 18, with screenings at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Film-Fanatics.club memberships cost $15 and include free admission and a drink ticket.