Illinois film festival to honor Gene Hackman

CHARLESTON — Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman’s career will be the focus of the ₈evff/ ">Embarras Valley Film Festival;http://castle.eiu.edu/⁷frasl in Charleston.

The festival will feature five Hackman movies: #147;Bonnie and Clyde,#148; #147;Unforgiven,#148; #147;The Royal Tenenbaums,#148; #147;Hoosiers#148; and #147;The French Connection.#148; Events start Saturday with a film workshop for middle school children. #147;The Versatile Gene Hackman#148; festival runs Nov. 1-3 at the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

The 82-year-old actor has won two Academy Awards and been nominated for three others over a career that#146;s spanned five decades. He grew up in Danville.

The festival is a partnership between Eastern Illinois University and the local community. All events are free and open to the public. University officials say Hackman isn#146;t scheduled to attend.