The 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank is more than just a selection of films! Here are a few FREE options to enjoy during the Festival if you need a break from the screenings, want some education, or just don’t want to break the bank!
TVs Of Terror Presents: SLEEPAWAY CAMP
August 22 at 9:30pm – Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
TVs Of Terror are coming to the Sidewalk Cinema for a special screening of the perfect late summer horror classic Sleepaway Camp (1983).
TechTuesday – NFTs & Films
August 23 at 11:30am – Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
We are partnering with TechBirmingham to have a special session of their monthly TechTuesday event to offer a lunch and learn program focused on NFTs, film, and the intersection of tech and film. Lunch is included. This event is free but registration is required. Doors at 11:30, Panel at noon.
Sidewalk’s Movie Trivia: SHOUT Edition
August 24 at 9:00pm – Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
Sidewalk’s Movie Trivia returns for a special SHOUT Edition following our SHOUT Spotlight Night.
Sidewalk’s Movie Trivia: Black Lens Edition
August 25 at 9:00pm – Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema
Sidewalk’s Movie Trivia returns for a special Black Lens Edition following our Black Lens Spotlight Night.
Opening Night Pre-Party presented by Cooper’s Craft Kentucky Bourbon
August 26 at 5:00pm – 1800 Block of Third Ave N.
Don’t rush home after work, join us for some fun on 3rd Avenue before the film! We’ll have food trucks, cash and VIP bar and more for our Opening Night Pre-Party.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
August 27 at 10:15am – Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema A & B
For the 10th year in a row Sidewalk programmers have compiled an awesome selection of 1980’s and 90’s cartoons and vintage commercials for the start of your Sidewalk weekend. To accompany the fun-packed screening there will be a free cereal bar. So launch into your 2021 Festival weekend the right way, by loading up on carbs, crazy cartoon antics and good company. Fun for all ages!
Sidewalk Storytime at the Lyric
August 27 at 10:15am – Lyric Theatre
Inspired by the opening night film, Butterfly in the Sky, join us for storytelling at the Lyric Theatre on Sidewalk Saturday morning. All ages!
Sidewrite Table Reads
August 27 at 10:30am – ASFA Lecture Hall
Hear from the winning scripts of the 2022 Sidewrite screenplay competition.
Public Media: Reading Rainbow to Reel South
August 27 at 1:00pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Learn about the wide-range of Public Media initiatives from pioneering educational programming since the 1970s to a new docuseries featuring southern filmmakers telling the stories of the American South. PBS is committed to delivering a diverse array of content through broadcast and digital platforms and provides funding opportunities for non-fiction filmmakers. Presented by Alabama Public Television.
Speakers: Rachel Raney (Executive Producer of Reel South), Heather Daniels-Whitson (Director of Digital & Education Media at Alabama Public Television), Cecily Truett Lancit (Co-creator and Supervising Producer of Reading Rainbow), Larry Lancit (Co-creator and Supervising Producer of Reading Rainbow), Bradford Thomason (Co-Director of Butterfly in the Sky).
Moderator: T. Marie King (Black Lens & Lead Shorts Programmer)
Sidetalks Podcast Live
August 27 at 1:00pm – Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema A
Join us for a special live recording of SideTalks, the official podcast of the Sidewalk Film Festival featuring Sidewalk creative director Rachel Morgan and lead programmer Corey Craft. They fight, a lot.
The Craft of Horror
August 27 at 3:00pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Learn from creators in and lovers of the horror genre about the influence and thought processes behind their work.
Speakers: Nick Adrian (Director, Co-Founder of Coffee Whale Films), Jay Burleson (Filmmaker at Sleep Creature LLC), Kansas Bowling (Actress/Filmmaker), Chance Shirley (Filmmaker), Tyler Russell (Writer/Director)
Moderator: Kyle McKinnon (Former Sidewalk Programmer, Film Composer)
Telling Our Stories: Adversity and Diversity in Filmmaking and the Performing Arts
August 27 at 5:00pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Hear from filmmakers, performers, and advocates about the work behind creating projects while putting a spotlight on their lived experiences.
Speakers: Verton R. Banks (Actor/Writer/Producer), Sean Charles Jr. (Development & Programming Manager at ALLBLK), Wally Chung (Animator), Ashley P. Causey (Writer/Director)
Moderator: Alie B. Gorrie (Community Engagement Manager – Red Mountain Theatre)
Auditioning 101
August 28 at 11:00am – ASFA Lecture Hall
Learn from local casting director Meg Deusner about best practices for auditioning, how to make good self tapes, and tips from the casting director’s desk. Meg owns Acting Out Academy, a premiere on-camera acting academy that has been training and developing actors of all ages for over a decade.
Building a DIY Film Community
August 28 at 1:00pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Hear from our panel of filmmakers and organizers on how they are building a community around film in Alabama and across the South.
Speakers: Nick Campbell & Chayse Porter (Hosts at TVs of Terror), Michele Forman (Director of UAB Media Studies Program), Hannah Hearn (Impact Coordinator & Fellowships Lead at Working Films), Anton Jackson (Festival Director at Montgomery Film Festival).
Moderator: Gareth Jones (Film Studies Professor and Radio Host)
Funding Your Film in Alabama
August 28 at 3:30pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Learn about the many grant opportunities available to fund your next film from local, regional, and national organizations.
Speakers: Chuck Holmes (Executive Director – Alabama Humanities Alliance), Kristy Garcia Breneman (Executive Director – Southern Documentary Fund), Caroline von Kühn (Director – Industry & Catalyst – Sundance Institute), Amy Jenkins (Visual Arts Program Manager – Alabama State Council on the Arts).
Moderator: Stacey Davis (Owner of The Law Firm of Stacey A. Davis LLC)
Deliberate Indifference Podcast Conversation
August 28 at 4:00pm – Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema B
Go behind the scenes of WBHM’s podcast “Deliberate Indifference.” The limited-run series tells the story of how Alabama’s prisons became some of the nation’s most dangerous, culminating in a years-long battle with federal officials. Hear from host Mary Scott Hodgin about the challenges of reporting on the criminal justice system, and what she learned about crafting long-form audio narratives.
How to (Successfully) Podcast
August 28 at 5:00pm – ASFA Lecture Hall
Join experienced podcasters for a discussion regarding successfully developing and producing podcasts.
Classic MTV Music Videos
August 28 at 5:20pm – Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema – Cinema A
Just like it’s the 80s’ we’ll screen a binge-worthy block of old school music videos along with vintage commercials and MTV bumpers. Part time machine, part recreation – spend an evening in front of the TV… specifically the MTV (before it was M-realityT-V). Fun & Free!
The 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival Awards Show
August 28 at 9:00pm – Lyric Theatre
Find out what films, filmmakers, volunteers, and more go home with a special award to close out the Festival.
Kids 12 & Under are free at all Family Line-up screenings including THE KARATE KID PART III, BEBE’S KIDS, Family Shorts, ACTING OUT! and CAT DADDIES.
The 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival will be held Aug. 22-28 in downtown Birmingham’s theatre district.
Be sure to check out our most recently announced titles, our Spotlight Nights, our Saturday Night party, other recently announced titles, Opening Night + other selections, and our first nine features announced.
Purchase your passes and tickets now at sidewalkfest.com/tix.