Main Menu Close

Category: Education

David Brower Alabama Filmmaker Grant Opens May 15

Posted on by Jessica Chriesman

The David Brower Grant for Alabama Filmmakers is a grant to support student, emerging, or established filmmakers currently residing in Alabama, who have a project in development. This grant, given in the spirit of mentoring and collaboration, in the amount of $1,500, is open to Alabama artists of all ages, ethnicities, genders and experience levels, to aid in a filmmaking endeavor, in any genre, at any stage of production. Weight will be given to passion and need, as well as aspirations for personal growth in the industry and the intent of the project. Applications are accepted until June 30, 2023.

Applications open May 15. Qualifications for interested filmmakers include:

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older
• Artists must be in development, pre-production, production, or post-production on a motion picture project
• Artists must be a resident of Alabama

Submitted projects can include feature-length films, short films, serialized/episodic work, web series, virtual or augmented reality, or other immersive/interactive work. All genres/types — including fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid — will be accepted.

The Grant recipient will be announced in August 2023

Apply Here.

FAQ

What types of projects will be considered for the David Brower Grant?

Submitted projects may include:

  • Feature-length films
  • Short films
  • Serialized/episodic work
  • Web series
  • Virtual or augmented reality, or other immersive/interactive work

We accept all genres/types, including fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid.
Projects can be at any stage of production:

  • Research/Development
  • Pre-Production
  • Production
  • Post-production

How do I know if it’s the right time to submit my project for this Grant?

Ultimately, that’s your decision. However, we welcome filmmakers at all levels of experience, and
projects at all stages of development.

When will I hear back from about the status of my submission?

You will receive a confirmation notification once the application is submitted. The winner will be notified in late July/early August.

Can I submit multiple film projects?

Each applicant may submit one application per grant cycle.

Does my application have to be in English?

Yes. While we will consider projects in any language, the application itself must be written in English.

What should I do if I have a technical question or problem with my application?

Email our Director of Education and Outreach  Jessica Chriesman, at [email protected] with any questions

David Brower Alabama Filmmaker Grant Opens September 1

Posted on by Jessica Chriesman

The David Brower Grant for Alabama Filmmakers is a grant to support student, emerging, or established filmmakers currently residing in Alabama, who have a project in development. This grant, given in the spirit of mentoring and collaboration, in the amount of $1,500, is open to Alabama artists of all ages, ethnicities, genders and experience levels, to aid in a filmmaking endeavor, in any genre, at any stage of production. Weight will be given to passion and need, as well as aspirations for personal growth in the industry and the intent of the project. Applications are accepted until October 31, 2022.

Applications open September 1. Qualifications for interested filmmakers include:

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older
• Artists must be in development, pre-production, production, or post-production on a motion picture project
• Artists must be a resident of Alabama

Submitted projects can include feature-length films, short films, serialized/episodic work, web series, virtual or augmented reality, or other immersive/interactive work. All genres/types — including fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid — will be accepted.

The Grant recipient will be announced in December 2022.

Apply Here.

FAQ

What types of projects will be considered for the Black Lens Filmmaker Grant?

Submitted projects may include:

  • Feature-length films
  • Short films
  • Serialized/episodic work
  • Web series
  • Virtual or augmented reality, or other immersive/interactive work

We accept all genres/types, including fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid.
Projects can be at any stage of production:

  • Research/Development
  • Pre-Production
  • Production
  • Post-production

How do I know if it’s the right time to submit my project for this Grant?

Ultimately, that’s your decision. However, we welcome filmmakers at all levels of experience, and
projects at all stages of development.

When will I hear back from about the status of my submission?

You will receive a confirmation notification once the application is submitted. The winner will be announced in December.

Can I submit multiple film projects?

Each applicant may submit one application per grant cycle.

Does my application have to be in English?

Yes. While we will consider projects in any language, the application itself must be written in English.

What should I do if I have a technical question or problem with my application?

Email our Director of Education and Outreach  Jessica Chriesman, at [email protected] with any questions

Announcing our 2021 Sidewrite Screenplay Competition Finalists and Winners

Posted on by Sam Eddins

Announcing the 2021 Sidewrite Screenplay competition finalists and winners!

 

Kimberly Soliman, Alabama Screenplay Contest Winner

Best Alabama Screenplay Winner:

“Perfect By Christmas” by Kimberly Soliman

Best Alabama Screenplay Finalists: 

“Elkhorn” by James Hadley Griffin
“Quarantine 1” by Miles Randall
“Carolina Cruel” by Brandon Sparks
“Sleepover” by Ann Kathleen Williams

 

Alycya Magaña, Short Screenplay Contest Winner

Best Short Screenplay Winner:

“El Vals” by Alycya Magaña

Best Short Screenplay Finalists:

“The Body of Chris” by Erin Brown Thomas
“Death is Only a Stranger Once” by Larry Collins
“Grip” by Madeline Mahoney
“First Days” by Jen Prince

 

 

 

 

Asad Farooqui, Feature Screenplay Contest Winner
Brandon Garner, Feature Screenplay Contest Winner

Best Feature Screenplay Winners:

“Boundaries” by Asad Farooqui and “Our Brilliant Leaders by Brandon Garner

Best Feature Screenplay Finalists:

“Full Court Bonsai” by Andrew Benedict
“Hysteria” by Jenna Payne
“The Last Stage, or Wyatt Earp’s Dying Dream” by Bruce Scivally
“He Hangs Brightly” by Daniel Talbott

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can hear these scripts (full short scripts, just selected scenes from features) at the Sidewrite table read at this year’s festival. Table reads and our other panels are free and open to everyone. Exact timing of panels and table reads will be announced soon. Sidewrite winners also receive a cash prize. We had a record number of submissions this year, so congratulations are in order to all our finalists and winners!

Black Lens Filmmaker Grant Opens June 15

Posted on by Casey Engelbrecht

The Black Lens Filmmaker Grant invites filmmakers of all levels with the mission of amplifying Black voices through the art of storytelling. “There is an undeniable need to provide a platform for the voices of the Black community to be heard,” said Chloe Cook, executive director, Sidewalk Film Festival and Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema. “This is our third year in the partnership with The Law Firm of Stacey A. Davis, and we know this year’s grant will provide even more opportunities to bring necessary attention to these stories.”

“I am proud to support the Black filmmaker community here in Alabama through this grant, especially during this pivotal time in our nation’s history,” said Stacey Davis, founder of The Law Firm of Stacey A. Davis, board member for Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema and an award-winning screenwriter, director and producer. “I understand the impact additional funds and the support of an entity like Sidewalk can have.”

The Black Lens Filmmaker Grant recipient will receive a $1, 000 cash prize funded by the Firm, as well as a one-year Director’s membership to the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema (a $2,000 value) and one free year of access to Sidewalk’s education/outreach programs.

Applications open June 15. Qualifications for interested filmmakers include:

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older
• Artists must identify as Black
• Artists must be in development, pre-production, production, or post-production on a motion picture project
• Artists must be a resident of Alabama

Submitted projects can include feature-length films, short films, serialized/episodic work, web series, virtual or augmented reality, or other immersive/interactive work. All genres/types — including fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid — will be accepted.

Every eligible applicant who completes the application will receive a one-year Sidewalk Filmmaker/Industry membership to the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema (a $100 value). All applications are due July 20 and can be submitted via sidewalkfest.com. The Grant recipient will be announced at the annual Sidewalk Film Festival awards ceremony on Sunday, August 28 at the Lyric Theatre.

Sidewalk x Stowe Story Labs

Posted on by Casey Engelbrecht
Sidewalk is pleased to partner with Vermont-based non-profit Stowe Story Labs to offer the third annual Sidewalk/Stowe Narrative Lab from August 25-28 during the 23rd Annual Sidewalk Film Festival. This will be a remote program, making it easily accessible to all. Application season is now open for all 2021 Stowe Story Labs programming. Apply here for the 2021 Sidewalk Narrative Lab. Now in their 9th year, Stowe Story Labs brings screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers together with seasoned industry professionals through intensive labs and expansive retreats to help get projects made and seen.
This four-day remote Sidewalk Lab is an intensive program to introduce writers to key considerations when building work for the big or small screen. The aim of this Narrative Lab is to prepare participants to best place themselves and their projects in the film industry in partnership with our diverse, electric film festival in the South.
Sessions will focus on:
  • The narrative elements of structure, theme, and subtext
  • Practical, usable advice on how to talk about story within the industry and to different audiences (financiers, producers, talent, etc.)
  • The story development and production processes
  • Why This Story? – meaning why you need to make this story now and developing an innate ability to talk about your project in any setting, at any time
Mentors are top industry professionals working on all aspects of film and TV projects. For a roster of current Stowe Story Labs mentors, please click here.
This program is suitable for established and emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers. For each Lab, the team looks for applicants who demonstrate talent, an interesting story idea, and a commitment to learning skills necessary to get work made and seen in this complex and collaborative industry.
Again, you can apply now here for all Stowe programs, including the remote Sidewalk Lab, and learn more about Stowe here.
We’re also pleased to offer a fellowship to this year’s lab. On top of free admission to the lab, the fellowship would also include:
  • a 30-minute consultation with entertainment attorney Stacey Davis (a Stowe Story Labs Alum, Fellowship Sponsor, and Board Member)
  • StoryBoard Quick software from Power Production
  • a free copy of the newest version of Final Draft
  • a free one-year ISAConnect Membership

All applicants to the Sidewalk Lab are automatically considered for this fellowship. Applications close 2/28.

Announcing the Teen Video Challenge!

Posted on by Sam Eddins

COVID-19 and the preventive measures taken by the government has, understandably, disrupted much of public life. This is an incredibly tough time for teenagers especially, whose schooling has been completely overhauled with no warning, and many rites of passage associated with being a high school student, such as prom and graduation, have been taken away.

This is why we’re creating the Teen Video Challenge. The Challenge creates a platform for those teenagers to create a video diary of how COVID-19 is affecting them, and gives them a chance to show us how their lives have been altered.

We will accept up to 50 submissions from Birmingham area juniors and seniors. All submissions that follow our guidelines will be made available to watch on Sidewalk’s YouTube channel.

The top 5, as selected by the Sidewalk programming team, will receive a $100 stipend, 2 Sidewalk Film Festival passes, and automatic acceptance into the Sidewalk Film Festival as part of our teen filmmaker programming.

Submissions should be no more than ten minutes long and should not contain any copyrighted material, or material that depicts illegal activity.

Please submit between 4/1 and 4/15. There is no entry fee to participate. Submissions should be emailed to [email protected]. Please include your name, what school you go to, and what year you are in the body of the email.

New Stowe Storylabs Collaboration Announced

Posted on by Chloe Cook

We are pleased to announce the inaugural Sidewalk Story Lab, in partnership with Stowe Story Labs, happening in Birmingham August 21-24.

Stowe Story Labs brings screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers together with seasoned industry professionals to help get projects made and seen.

This four-day intensive program will introduce writers to key considerations when adapting works for the screen.

Sessions will focus on:

  • The narrative elements of structure, theme, and subtext
  • Practical, usable advice on how to talk about story within the industry and to different audiences (financiers, producers, talent, etc.)
  • The story development and production processes
  • Why This Story? – meaning intended audience, size of market, and how to get your film made and seen

The aim of the Lab is to prepare participants to best place themselves and their projects in the film industry.

Mentors are top industry professionals working on all aspects of film and TV projects. For a roster of current Stowe Story Labs mentors, please click here.

This program is suitable for established and emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers.

For each Lab we look for applicants who demonstrate talent, an interesting story idea, and a commitment to learning skills necessary to get work made and seen in this complex and collaborative industry.

We will not offer notes on each project during the lab.

To apply, please click here.

Learn more  about our Stowe Storylab partners at www.stowestorylabs.org

 

Congrats to Music Video Scramble Winners!

Posted on by Chloe Cook

Congratulations to our Music Video Scramble Winners!

For the Spring 2019 Music Video Scramble, 20 filmmaking teams were randomly paired up with 20 local musicians to create a music video from scratch within one 48-hour period. All finished music videos were screened at Saturn on March 4th to a sold out crowd and the following teams went home with over $2,000 in awards and prizes.

JURY AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO: “Heavy Rubber Gloves” by The Hollywood Horses, directed by Team Sparkle Pony
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO: “Visionland” by C1ub:AM, directed by Nuthouse Media
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: “Green Lights” by Thyme Randle, directed by Morgan Grace Films
BEST KIND OF WEIRDNESS AWARD: “The Cigarette” by Qualifier, directed by GBFS

 

Special thanks to the music video jury!

Stephanie Bergara of Austin Music Video Festival
Dan Brawley of Cucalorus Film Festival
Alan Hunter – original MTV VJ, co-founder of Sidewalk and Workplay

Announcing a new program: Book + Film Club!

Posted on by Casey Engelbrecht

Coming in 2019 – Book + Film Club! A club for adults where you can geek out over your favorite films and explore new books and movies with like-minded folks. We’ll host a kick-off, where you meet everybody and pick up your book at the beginning of the month, and a screening of a film related to the book at the end of the month.

 

You can find more information, like pricing and the first three titles, here. Registration will open just in time for Christmas. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for that friend or relative with a too-full bookshelf!

 

Questions? Email [email protected].