Deadlines
About festival
Savoy Lumière (Champaign-Urbana)
Founded in March of 2024, The Chambana Film Society, which hosts the Savoy Lumière, is the fastest-growing film organization in Central Illinois, and is already the largest film event in Illinois outside of Chicagoland. The festival, and film society has quickly gained a reputation for its well curated screenings at the Savoy 16 + IMAX, its passionate audiences, and strong support from the local film community, press, and government entities.
In just over two year, the Chambana Film Society has hosted 90 screenings to thousands of attendees, paid out thousands in screening fees and revenue splits, and established itself as a major cultural hub in the region. In 2027 edition of the Savoy Lumière will move to a full 10-day schedule, with plans for encore screenings of selected titles at an additional screening space in Urbana.
Filmmakers can expect: Engaged, enthusiastic audiences in a community that loves cinema. 2 full festival badges. Professional theatrical presentation at a first-class multiplex. Media coverage and community support that help films find wider recognition. A commitment to independence.
Throughout 2026, we have been working on additional, themed "mini-festivals", of 6-10 screenings over a long weekend. We currently are looking at holding:
CineSonic Music Film Festival Doctober Fest A 24-hour horror marathon An LGBTQ+ Film Festival
and this is on top of our weekly screening series, The Savoy Arthouse.
We’re looking for bold, personal, and original films that deserve the big screen. Submit today and join us as we celebrate the next wave of independent cinema in Champaign-Urbana.
Festival Amenities
Accepted Content
Submission Categories
Feature Narrative Films
Narrative Feature Films over 40 minutes.
Feature Documentary Films
Documentary Feature Films over 40 minutes.
Feature Animated Films
Animated Films over 40 minutes.
Feature Films From Illinois / Indiana
Feature Films are defined as films with a runtime exceeding 40 minutes. To qualify, films must meet at least two of the following three criteria: At least 50% of the film was shot in Illinois or Indiana The director resides in Illinois or Indiana The producer or screenwriter resides in Illinois or Indiana All submissions must be Central Illinois premieres, meaning the film must not have had a prior public screening in the region. Cast-and-crew screenings do not affect premiere status.
Short Documentary Films
Documentary Short Films under 41 minutes in length.
Short Narrative Films
Narrative Short Films under 41 minutes in length.
Short Animated Films
Animated Short Films under 41 minutes in length.
Short Films From Illinois / Indiana
Short Films are defined as films with a runtime less than 41 minutes. To qualify, films must meet at least two of the following three criteria: At least 50% of the film was shot in Illinois or Indiana The director resides in Illinois or Indiana The producer or screenwriter resides in Illinois or Indiana All submissions must be Central Illinois premieres, meaning the film must not have had a prior public screening in the region. Cast-and-crew screenings do not affect premiere status.
Music Videos / Music Films Under 10 Minutes
These submissions will probably be considered more for CineSonic, our yearly music-film festival. Music Videos, Documentaries, or Narratives that are under 10 minutes.
Episodic Pilot
Festival Team
Nat Dykeman
Director
