SAVOY, IL (Chambana Today) – In a region where film culture has long centered on Ebertfest, one organizer is helping rewrite the script. Since moving to Champaign County in 2023, film programmer and producer Nat Dykeman has quietly built a new home for independent cinema—one Sunday screening at a time.

In March 2023, Dykeman launched a monthly screening series at Savoy 16, a theater operated by Phoenix Theatres Entertainment. What started as a once-a-month experiment quickly gained momentum, expanding to 18 screenings in the first year. As of 2024, the series runs every Sunday at 3 p.m., with strong community support and growing ambitions.

“I’ve always been more interested in discovering new voices and new films,” Dykeman said. “I love digging through titles that aren’t out yet and finding the gems.”

From Lake County to Savoy

Before coming to east-central Illinois, Dykeman had already made his mark in another part of the state. In 2004, he founded the Lake County Film Festival in northern Illinois, where he helped give independent, documentary, foreign, and short films a platform in a market that had none.

“I actually never had much interest in repertory cinema,” he said. “Personally, I don’t see much point in going out to see something you can just watch at home.”

Instead, Dykeman’s focus has always been on finding what’s next—not revisiting what’s old. That mindset shaped the creation of the Savoy Lumière Festival, launched in spring 2025.

“When I got here, I already knew about Ebertfest,” Dykeman said. “My surprise was just that it was the only film festival of scope in town.”

A New Festival Is Born

After experimenting with a “summer screening series” under the Chambana Film Festival name, Dykeman and collaborators sought a title that didn’t rely on the phrase “film festival.” That’s when Savoy Lumière emerged—referencing cinema’s early roots while highlighting its new location.

“I got really tired of having to say and type ‘film festival’ constantly,” Dykeman said. “Using ‘Lumière’ felt right. It’s concise, meaningful, and nods to cinema’s beginnings.”

In April and May 2025, the inaugural Savoy Lumière featured 14 screenings across five days, including 11 feature films and 34 shorts—a total of 45 brand-new films. No repertory titles. No Oscar-nominated replays.

Highlights included:

• Brim, a locally made feature that drew a strong crowd on opening night

• Chambana to Chicago, a shorts showcase featuring work from both ends of the I-57 corridor

• Sally, a closing night documentary about astronaut Sally Ride

“Those screenings really proved there’s a hunger for thoughtful, original films here,” Dykeman said. “And the support from the community—and the theater—has been incredible.”

Savoy 16 and the Power of Partnership

According to Dykeman, the partnership with Phoenix Theatres’ Savoy 16 made it all possible. “Phoenix has been excellent. They’re flexible, and their local staff has been incredibly supportive.”

Now titled “The Savoy Arthouse”, the theater fills up every Sunday with moviegoers looking for a cinematic experience that isn’t a mainstream release.

The Organization Behind It

All of this happens under the umbrella of the Chambana Film Society (www.chambanafilmfestival.org), a registered not-for-profit dedicated to hosting film screenings around Champaign County and supporting independent cinema in the region.

Founded by Dykeman, the organization has been building connections to area film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and local government, while working to keep film culture alive in the region. “The mission is simple,” Dykeman said. “To connect people through film, art, and conversation.”

While the national IRL Movie Club has partnered on a few screenings—including Join or Die in fall 2024—their involvement has been limited.

The next Savoy Lumière Festival is scheduled for April 30 – May 4, 2026, but audiences don’t have to wait to get involved. Weekly screenings continue every Sunday at 3 p.m., and volunteers, sponsors, and attendees are always welcome.

Want to Get Involved?

To learn more, visit www.chambanafilmfestival.org or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/ChambanaFilmSociety.

Note: Screenings are private rentals, so showtimes will not appear on Fandango or the Savoy 16 website. All events are listed exclusively through Chambana Film Society’s platforms.