Today we were so excited to announce the lineup of the 25th annual Sidewalk Film Festival, presented by Regions Bank. As we gear up for this milestone edition of the festival, the challenge of programming a lineup from a pool of hundreds of short and feature films was greater than ever. We are proud to spotlight our selections for opening and closing night.
Opening Night: Art for Everybody
Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.
The Alabama Theatre
1817 3rd Ave. N.
We are thrilled to open our 25th year with the documentary Art for Everybody, from director Miranda Yousef. Painter Thomas Kinkade, the “Painter of Light,” grew more famous than any American artist in decades when his depictions of quaint Americana boomed in popularity in the 1990s. After his death in 2012, his daughters opened their father’s vault and discovered a trove of secret paintings Kinkade had never shown anyone. That discovery — and this film that tells the story of the controversial artist — will change the way you think about Kinkade, whether you embrace or deride his work. It’s a story about the democratization of fine art and the hidden costs of making it big — and as we start a weekend of providing “art for everybody,” this film is the perfect beginning to our festival. Art for Everybody screens Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre. Immediately following the screening, step outside onto 3rd Ave. N. for our Opening Night After Party.
Opening Night After Dark: Hello Dankness
Friday, Aug. 25, at 10 p.m.
Sidewalk Cinema (in both theaters A and B)
1821 2nd Ave. N., in the lower level of the Pizitz Building
For our 25th year, we’re bringing you a second opening night option following the main event — this one a little darker, a little stranger and a little more provocative. Join us at the Sidewalk Cinema (in both theaters A and B) at 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, for Hello Dankness, our selection for this special Opening Night After Dark screening. From the visionary creative duo known as Soda Jerk, this experimental narrative takes us on a journey through a surreal and dark time: the past decade of life in the United States. Four years in the making, this nightmarish, hilarious odyssey uses hundreds of clips and samples from film, television and popular culture at large to tell the story of the Trump presidency and the outbreak of COVID. It’s fair to say you’ve never seen anything like it. Tickets and seating are extremely limited, so get yours today.
Closing Night: It’s Only Life After All
Sunday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m.
The Alabama Theatre
1817 3rd Ave. N.
And we’ll close out our festival with director Alexandria Bombach’s documentary on the beloved folk band The Indigo Girls, It’s Only Life After All. This loving portrait features never-before-seen footage of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, the Atlanta-area duo who became standard-bearers in the late ‘80s and through the ‘90s as one of the few mainstream groups to be openly out as queer. Now, as their decades-long friendship and artistic partnership continues, we look back with them as they reflect on their history and contextualize their careers in the political and social arenas of the times. Join us for our screening of It’s Only Life After All on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.
And don’t forget — check out the full lineup here. See a lot you like? You’ll want to purchase VIP, weekend or day passes and join us for all the fun. On a budget, or see a couple of things you absolutely must attend? Premium single tickets to individual screenings and events are also now on sale.
