Hold onto your headphones, music junkies! The 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank is serving up a 12-course banquet of musical documentaries. What’s more, we’ve Tetris-ed the schedule so you can catch all 12 without cloning yourself.
1. Black Lens Spotlight Night: The South Got Something To Say
Thursday, August 22, 7 p.m. / Sidewalk Cinema
After the credits roll, stick around for a Lip Sync Battle in the lobby.
Picture this: It’s 1995. The Source Awards. André 3000 grabs the mic and BAM! Southern Hip-Hop goes from zero to hero faster than you can say “Hey Ya!”. This doc dives deep into the story that had the whole hip-hop world doing a double-take.
2. S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary
Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. / ASFA Dorothy Jemison Day Theater
Blast off into the wild world of trans-trailblazer Genesis P-Orridge: Part punk prophet, part techno shaman, all boundary-smashing badass. Genesis didn’t just dip a toe into the pool of musical innovation – they cannonballed in.
3. Sonic Visions presents Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg
Saturday, August 24, 12:30 p.m / Sidewalk Cinema
Slip on your bell-bottoms as we dive headfirst into the glittery, glamorous, and occasionally gritty world of rock royalty’s ultimate It Girl. This isn’t just a rock doc – it’s a backstage pass to the wildest party in music history. And our girl Anita? She’s the flame that kept it all burning.
4. Saturday, August 24, 3 p.m / Alabama Theater
Forget everything you thought you knew about the music biz, because Ani DiFranco wrote her own rulebook. And honey, it’s a bestseller. From indie icon to activist extraordinaire, Ani’s done it all – and she’s done it her way.
5. Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex
Saturday, August 24, 5:15 p.m. / The Lyric Theater
Listen up, cosmic dancers and children of the revolution: Glitter-bomb yourself for a journey through the tragically short but oh-so-sweet life of T. Rex’s main man, Marc Bolan. You’ll witness the magic of a true rock god who burned twice as bright for half as long.
6. The World According To Allee Willis
Saturday, August 24, 8 p.m. / ASFA Dorothy Jemison Day Theater
Introducing the best songwriter you’ve never heard of – the one and only Allee Willis. This Grammy-winning musical mastermind has been pulling the strings of your earworms for decades, and it’s high time she steps into the spotlight.
7. Saturday, August 24, 8:30 p.m. / Carver Theater
Badass journalist extraordinaire Dream Hampton crashes the boys’ club with her camera rolling. From fresh-faced Biggie to a squirming Dr. Dre, this raw footage serves up an unfiltered hip-hop history lesson, with a side of hard-hitting questions about women in rap.
8. Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m. / Carver Theater
Hold onto your hi-hats, cats and kittens. Max Roach is about to school you in coolness. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through seven decades of beat-dropping, barrier-breaking social shake-ups and pure jazz genius.
9. Resynator
Sunday, August 25, 12:30 p.m. / Alabama Theater
Girl finds a long-lost synthesizer in Grandma’s attic. Discovers her dad was basically the Nikola Tesla of bleeps and bloops, and sets out to make the music world take notice. An electrifying tale through time, tech, and totally rad tunes.
10. A Symphony Celebration: The Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion, III
Sunday, August 25, 2:30 p.m. / Carver Theater
Get ready to have your soul stirred and spirits lifted with this unforgettable film performance: Grammy-winning gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama. A big-shot conductor. A killer orchestra. And a choir that’s a powerhouse of vocal talent.
11. The Almost Lost Story of Tuxedo Junction
Sunday, August 25, 6 p.m. / Carver Theater
Tuxedo Junction. It’s not just a place, it’s a whole vibe. We’re talking a neighborhood alive with rhythm, a building pulsing with energy, and a song that put Birmingham on the map. Now, this gem is teetering on the edge of being forgotten.
12. Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted
Sunday, August 25, 6 p.m. / The Lyric Theater
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix soul, eccentricity, and home improvement, this is your chance to find out. At the ripe young age of 81, Jerry Williams, Jr., aka Swamp Dog, isn’t sitting in a rocking chair reminiscing about the good ol’ days.
We are extremely excited about all of these titles in our lineup and hope you grab a VIP or Weekend Pass to see them all! Music now and forever!
Passes available now and Premium Single Tickets available TODAY at sidewalkfest.com/tix.
Festival Programmer, Charlie Sanders