Our programmers are excited to announce eight new short film titles for the 28th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival. Read more below and be on the lookout for more announcements on July 1 and the full schedule release on July 16th!

Directed by An-Phuong Ly
USA / Documentary Short / 17:58
Part of our Life & Liberty Track
Finding solace in the shared experience of their youth, the last remaining South Vietnamese naval officers trained by the US during the Vietnam War reconnect with the few people in the world who understand the complexities that shaped them.

Directed by Anissa Latham-Brown
USA / Documentary Short / 11:02
Part of our Alabama, Black Lens, and Women in Film Tracks
Watch the electrifying and intense journey of the nationally recognized Purple Marching Machine from Miles College—an HBCU in Fairfield, Alabama—as the band prepares for the 2025-2026 season.

Directed by Elliott Kennerson, Angel Morris
USA / Documentary Short / 27:40
Part of our SHOUT Track
In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California’s Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.

Directed by Aaron Blaise
USA / Animated Short / 11:29
Part of our Family Track
When a lonely bear can’t find a friend, he makes one. Completely hand-drawn, “Snow Bear” tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend.

Directed by Slava Denisov
USA / Narrative Short / 15:14
A ’76 Plymouth reflects on its journey as it witnesses decades of human life and captures moments of freedom, temptation, and redemption while changing hands from one owner to the next.

Directed by Beth Curry
USA / Narrative Short / 14:47
Part of our Black Lens, Women in Film Tracks
When her agoraphobic mother dies suddenly, six-year-old Lemon must overcome her conditioned fear and venture outside for the first time. Her journey from fear to bravery becomes a tender exploration of courage, imagination, and human connection.

It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead
Directed by John Bell, Dan Bell
USA / Narrative Short / 8:29
It’s a not-so-wonderful life for George Bailey when a horde of flesh-eating ghouls comes to town on Christmas Eve. Through the use of traditional rotoscoping and compositing techniques, It’s A Wonderful Life and Night of the Living Dead have been woven together to create this twisted love letter to the original films.

Directed by Kelsey Norden
USA / Animated Short / 4:46
Part of our Family, Women in Film Tracks
The Moon has risen early to threaten dog utopia, and Major Walnut has called his team of guard dogs to pilot Doggozord, a giant canine mecha, to fight it off.

Festival VIP and Weekend Pass Information:
Visit our website for passes now!
Day Passes will go on sale July 1st. Premium Single Tickets will go on sale July 17.
VIP Pass: $250
The VIP pass includes:
- Opening Night film at The Alabama Theatre
- Opening Night After-Party with complimentary beer and wine for VIPs
- All Saturday films including the Saturday Spotlight Film
- Entry to the Saturday Night Party with complimentary beer and wine for VIPs (must be 18+ to attend)
- All Sunday films, including Closing Night Film
- Access to VIP lounge with refreshments and complimentary beer and wine
- Sidewalk Tote Bag
- Sidewalk Commemorative Program
- Early Access Seating for Film Screenings
- Discounted Tickets to Weekday Spotlight Films
Weekend Pass: $100
The Weekend Pass gives you access to all the festival weekend films as well as access to our Friday Night Opening Night Film + After-Party. This does not include Spotlight Nights, the Saturday Night Party, or VIP/Filmmaker events.
Pass Prices increase again on July 1.
Visit our website for passes now!