The late film critic Roger Ebert once hailed filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro as the most challenging in fantasy films, because he invents from scratch.  Del Toro brought 2015's "Crimson Peak" which he calls a 'gothic romance', to Champaign's Virginia Theatre to open the 18th Annual Roger Ebert's Film Festival Wednesday.

The final slate of six films for the festival, running April 13-17 at Champaign's Virginia Theater, include 'Love and Mercy', which depicts Beach Boy Brian Wilson at two stages of his life, Lily Tomlin's honored performance in "Grandma", and "L'Inhumaine", a 1924 silent French sci-film film to be accompanied by the Alloy Orchestra. 

The 2015 schedule for the annual Ebertfest film festival in Champaign will include a tribute to the late actor and filmmaker Harold Ramis and an appearance from film and TV actor Jason Segel.