Lineup announced for 17th annual Ebertfest in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Roger Ebert's film festival will open this year with screenings of filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard's "Goodbye to Language 3D" and actor turned director Robert De Niro's "A Bronx Tale."

The Ebertfest lineup was announced Thursday. The annual festival, which champions films the late movie critic thought deserved a closer look, will run from April 15-19 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign.

Ebert has hailed Jean-Luc Godard as an influential director of "the very first rank," while De Niro's debut film as a director garnered a five-star review from the critic. Other films appearing in the 17th annual Ebertfest are expected to be announced soon.

Ebert died in April 2013 at age 70. His wife, Chaz, has continued to present and host the five-day film festival in Ebert's hometown.