24 May – A documentary on the late film critic Roger Ebert is about to be released. "Life Itself" is based on Ebert's own best-selling memoir from 2011 and is made by director Steve James. James was the director of "Hoop Dreams", which is one of the most highly rated movies by Ebert himself. Martin Scorsese is its executive producer.
The documentary will recount the times of Ebert as a film critic for the Chicago Sun Times, the influences of his writings, including the campy "Beyond the Valley of Dolls", his partnership with fellow film critic Gene Siskel, and his personal life that was drawn to an end by thyroid cancer in 2013. "Life Itself" premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Pictures. It was also screened at this year's Ebertfest and the Cannes. "Life Itself" is expected to have a wide release in the United States on 4 July. The local release date is yet to be announced.