Springfield film festival canceled

The Rated SGF Film Festival has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The festival, which screens films at the Fox Theatre downtown, had been scheduled to take place next month, according to a news release. It's slated to return March 25-26, 2022.

“We are disappointed we won't be able to put on this great festival in 2021, but we know this is the right decision,” said Jennifer Moseley, festival director, in the release. “We are thankful for all the support we have received as we planned this event and look forward to hosting our third Rated SGF Film Festival.

"This will be our biggest and best to date.”

Launched in 2018 by the Downtown Springfield Association and the Film and Media Association of Springfield, the festival also was called off in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The lineup this year was scheduled to include 2018 films "Thunder Road" and "Minding the Gap," along with in-person commentary from actors in the movies, according to the festival's website.