Category: Special Events

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the world of cinema and film. Exploring different art forms has always been my favorite thing to do. Watching the Muppets, other children and the Hollywood elite on-screen became the most important outlet of my young world. And even though initially I enjoyed watching Beetlejuice, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids, I still missed seeing myself reflected on screen. Then as a teenager, I discovered a new genre, and I became obsessed with creators like John Singleton, Spike Lee, and Robert Townsend. Their diverse storytelling methods displayed the beauty and complexity of the Black American experience. I could feel myself growing, expanding, and evolving as I watched Coming to America, Poetic Justice, and Moonlight. The Black American experience of coming of age, searching for identity, or searching for love is just as universal as anyone else’s story but no one can understand it or tell it better than we can. 

This year’s Black Lens Film Week will spotlight the history, skills, talent, vision, and unique creativity within the Black community. During the week you will see a diverse set of films that are guaranteed to make you laugh, bring tears to your eyes, and hopefully challenge you to see your neighbor just a little bit more than before. 

Ever been in love to the point you lose yourself and one day you look up and think, what the hell am I doing? I have. We’re kicking off the week with Love Jones and Diary of a Mad Black Woman as a part of the Kiss ‘Em or Diss ‘Em Valentines Day Spectacular sponsored by Korbel. Each ticket comes with special goodies including a free drink ticket and popcorn.

Love Jones gives us a modern 90’s look at an arts renaissance community with professionals searching and fighting for love. What happens when you lose it all? You return to what you know, the family that loves you, and as you heal the love you deserve finds you. Diary of a Mad Black Woman is the drama and comedy you need on Valentine’s Day.

A Soldier’s Story takes a look at racism and segregation in the army and the difficulty of being a Black officer in the military at the time of Jim Crow. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest films ever; amazingly cast and masterfully crafted.

Mama Gloria shines a light on an icon that began breaking barriers long before Stonewall. From blazing trails to giving back to her community, Gloria Allen displays the humanity we all need in our life. Mama Gloria is sponsored by The VAL Group.

Black Lens Shorts Showcase is an opportunity to highlight the talent of new and young storytellers in and around the Birmingham community. 

You don’t want to miss Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip. One of the greatest comics to ever do it humorously shares stories of his life and an impactful trip to Africa that gives us a peek into a more mature comic. Remember it’s rated R for Richard. 

Citizen Ashe is a beautiful portrait of a man who broke barriers in the tennis world on his own terms. His journey of fighting to be respected in the tennis community as well as his advocacy for AIDS reminds us of the kind of human we should all strive to be.

What’s better than a live concert? The recording of that concert. Okay, maybe not but WattStax captures the Watts Summer Festival from 1972 as artists from the Black community remember the Watts Riots. If you’re a fan of ol’ school music like I am, come and jam with us. WattStax is sponsored by Four Corners Gallery.

In The Letter, we see that family drama can touch anyone, even a 95-year-old grandmother. When accusations start circulating through her community, we see the strength of a woman who knows who she is. I’m excited to share this international film with you. 

Lil Nas X had everyone line dancing to “Old Town Road” as he climbed the charts and carved his place not only in society but in history. I love it when people take their destiny into their own hands and unapologetically be who they are. Lil Nas X: Unlikely Cowboy is a film you don’t want to miss. 

Oprah Winfrey: Fight for a Better Life, well it’s Oprah. Am I the only one who hears the 80s theme song from the Oprah Winfrey Show in my head when I hear the name? I know I’m not the only one. Whether you love her or not, she has solidified her place in history. With a successful talk show running for 25 years, multiple writing and producing credits, her own network (OWN), and much more, the Oprah Effect has impacted millions of people. This is your chance to see her story like never before. Oprah Winfrey: Fight for a Better Life is sponsored by Prosper Bham.

We have a powerful collection of films for the inaugural Black Lens Film Week. See you there! – T

Get tickets at sidewalkfest.com/tickets.

Women In Film Week puts the spotlight on female filmmakers. In this inaugural year, we are focusing specifically on female directors and writers.

As is reflected in the 2020 Academy Award Best Director nominations, there exist clear barriers for women in the film industry. Such is true historically and remains today. Despite the odds, women manage to consistently innovate film art. At our annual film festival and throughout the year at the Sidewalk Cinema we seek out interesting, innovative, important cinematic works that are directed, written, edited and/or lensed by women and we wanted to put a specific, singular focus on such annually at the Cinema. Therefore, we have launched Women In Film Week and are excited about our inaugural line-up.

Here are a few words from our programmers about our selections:

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

Arguably the best film of the year – written and directed by Céline Sciamma.

Marianne is commissioned to paint the wedding portrait of reluctant Héloïse, the appointment is more of an undertaking than Marianne anticipated, her and Héloïse get to know one another throughout the process and, eventually, start hardcore crushing. It’s 18th century France though and Héloïse is about to get arranged married, both of which really complicate things… to say the least.

Featuring gorgeous cinematography, immaculate direction, and flawless performances, we’ve been waiting for more than half a year to program this one and are intensely proud to land it with perfect timing during Women In Film Week. This film will change your life.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE won the Queer Palm at Cannes, it is the first film directed by a woman to win the award.

THE FITS

In Anna Rose Holmer’s feature film debut, 11-year-old Toni stumbles upon a rec center dance team and is drawn to join. Her arrival marks the start of the team’s strange fainting spells and violent fits. Dreamy and mysterious, THE FITS, is a poetic, surreal exploration of femininity. Holmer recruited real-life, Cincinnati-based drill-dance team, Q-Kidz, for the film, including lead heroine Royalty Hightower – the team was provided part ownership of the film. We couldn’t resist an opportunity to project THE FITS on the big screen with all of its perplexity and enchantment.

NIGHT CATCHES US

Ex-Black Panther, Marcus, returns to the racially divided Philadelphia neighborhood for his reverend father’s funeral. Having been accused of being an informant in regards to the slaying of a fellow Panter, Marcus grapples with place and past.

10 years in the making, writer-director Tanya Hamilton combined historical facts with creative liberty to develop NIGHT CATCHES US. The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and the same year was an Indiewire Critics’ Poll nominee, Gotham Awards nominee and a 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominee, Alliance of Women Film Journalists nominee and NAACP Image Awards nominee in multiple categories.

HALF THE PICTURE

This documentary lays out the fact that straight-up women in the film industry are not offered equal opportunities as compared to their male counterparts. Featuring interviews with Ava DuVernay, Catherine Hardwicke, Brenda Chapman, Caroline Libresco, Jamie Babbit, Rosanna Arquette, Kimberly Peirce, Lena Dunham, Martha Coolidge, Lynn Shelton, Penelope Spheeris and more… damn. HALF THE PICTURE is directed by Amy Adrion and premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.

GIRLS TRIP, BRIDESMAIDS and ROUGH NIGHT

Friday night, March 13^th we wanted to celebrate female friendship and put together a super fun “best friend” triple feature with heavy-hitters GIRLS TRIP, BRIDESMAIDS and ROUGH NIGHT.

Written by Erica Rivinoja, Kenya Barris & Tracy Oliver, GIRLS TRIP is the first film produced, written, directed by and starring African-Americans to cross the $100-million mark.

Four longtime friends travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival and it gets crazy.

While female-led comedies are consistently considered risky financial endeavors, BRIDESMAIDS is the most financially successful Judd Apatow production. Written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, BRIDESMAIDS was a game-changer in regards to the successful financing of future female-led comedies. It’s also really fun to watch and consider this, Melissa McCarthy based the look and characterization of Megan in part on Guy Fier. A maid of honor and a bridesmaid compete for the attention of their mutual BFF and it’s freaking hilarious.

Directed and co-written by Lucia Aniello, ROUGH NIGHT joins the forces of Jillian Bell, Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz, Ilana Glazer, and Kate McKinnon. Daaaaang.

A well-intended Miami bachelor party goes way, way, way off the rails with the appearance of a male stripper.

The focus of all films in the triple feature is on the importance and weight of friendship and the acknowledgment that women should have each other’s backs. All three films are super fun to watch with an audience and we’re excited to bring them back to the big screen and celebrate all the women who made these re-watch worthy films possible and special.

BOOKSMART

Turning the focus again to the importance of friendship and the intricacies of such, BOOKSMART is sharp, hilarious, honest, bright and, above all else, fun as hell. One of the greatest buddy comedies of all time, Olivia Wilde’s critically acclaimed directorial debut was written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman.

After four years of academic excess, over-achieving besties Amy and Molly decide to finally throw down on the eve of their high school graduation and chaos ensues. We wanted to be sure to include a film that places the focus on young women and BOOKSMART perfectly captures the magic, surprise and exciting uncertainty of a late high school evening out.

Without a doubt, BOOKSMART should have received an Academy Best Director nomination.

WANDA

Written, directed and starring Barbara Loden, WANDA is an impressive accomplishment. Shot on location in eastern Pennsylvania and Connecticut with a tiny crew of seven people (sometimes as few as four) and featuring a great deal of improvised dialogue and numerous non-actors, WANDA is a unique, innovative, complex feminist masterpiece. The film is Loden’s directorial debut and her only feature works.

Overlooked upon its release and virtually forgotten for decades, the last few years have seen masterwork, WANDA, begin to acquire the recognition that it deserves. Including the 2017 selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and a new restoration (completed in 2018) followed by a weeklong run at the Metrograph theatre in New York.

Barbara Loden once wrote, “I tried to be independent and to create my own way. Otherwise, I would have become like Wanda, all my life just floating around.” WANDA is a hardworking product of that deliberate independence.

After leaving her job and her husband and relinquishing custody of her children, Wanda Goronski splits town. After a number of unfortunate run-ins, Wanda finds herself on the run with a volatile bank robber.

BUFFALOED

We’re excited to screen Tanya Wexler’s so-called “late-capitalism comedy”, BUFFALOED, as part of Women In Film Week. Starring Zoey Deutch, the film premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and is currently in theatrical release. In an effort to pay for Ivy League tuition, Peg gets involved the shady debt collection underworld.

VARDA BY AGNÈS

Pioneering feminist French film director Agnès Varda passed away last March. Among many things, her work was highly influential in the French New Wave movement. In VARDA BY AGNÈS, Varda, herself, uses photos and film excerpts to reflect on her career. We are honored to celebrate her great work.

Valentine’s sure is a divisive day. Love it or hate it, most don’t land between, plus it can clearly be circumstantial.

We wanted to do something for folks who fall on both sides of the Valentine’s coin and, either way, we definitely wanted to make it fun! What we’ve come up with is our official Kiss ‘Em or Diss ‘Em Valentine’s Day Spectacular event.

So… if you’re happily in love (even if only with Leo) we have Baz Luhrmann’s stylish 90’s-core ROMEO + JULIET in one cinema room and, for those heartbreakers or heartbroken, the ridiculously fun 80’s-era MY BLOODY VALENTINE will be screening across the hall. Of course, we’re not requiring proof of partnership or singletude, so catch the film of your choice, after all, what’s better than yelling at an ax-wielding mass murderer with your sweetheart or broken-heartedly basking in the glow of young Leo’s collagen?

Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect excuse to throw a party, so we’re going to really be pulling out all the red and pink stops with astrology readings, junior high school style carnation shout outs, photo ops, drink specials and more – as you know, we think film is best when it’s experiential. If you’re a total scrub we’ll have surprises in the lobby so bring a date, a friend or your shadow and hang out with us, we promise not to let them know you’re a cheapo.

But – if you’re NOT a cheapo and you’re up for pulling all the strings – check out our VIP package upgrade for any of the night’s ticket purchases! For an additional $20 to your ticket purchase, this upgrade comes with a drink ticket good for any beer, wine or valentine’s specialty cocktail (21+ only!), plus a custom iced cookie and a limited edition I ♥️ Sidewalk magnet.

A little more about our film selections:

MY BLOODY VALENTINE is an obvious choice, c’mon it’s Quentin Tarantino’s all-time favorite slasher. Who can resist a film that contains the Valentine’s poem, “Roses are Red Violets are Blue One is Dead and So Are You”. Released on February 11, 1981, according to the film’s producer, MY BLOODY VALENTINE was “cut to ribbons” in order to achieve an R-rating, such didn’t prevent it from becoming a massive 80’s home video rental favorite. We appreciate the slumber party vibes that MY BLOODY VALENTINE gives off and the film being shot on location in mines with limited lighting makes the production value, alone, worth a big-screen viewing. Also, Valentine is right there in the title!

We loved the idea of countering the 80’s slasher classic with a hyper 90’s style piece and what better than the basis for half the cinematic romances of all time? According to Luhrmann, he developed ROMEO + JULIET from the premise of making a film in a manner “in which Shakespeare might make a movie of one of his plays if he was a director. Shakespeare was a relentless entertainer and a user of incredible devices and theatrical tricks to ultimately create something of meaning.” We’re not sure about all that, but Luhrmann did manage to make a strange, overly stylish 90’s time capsule that is, at moments, dreamy and at others cringe-worthy in the best way. Fun fact: Key hair stylist Aldo Signoretti was kidnapped by gang members during production and held for $300 ransom which Baz Luhrmann paid – now that’s true love.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets to Kiss ‘Em or Diss ‘Em

We wanted to be sure to cater to ALL audiences this Valentine’s Day, so later in the evening, we’re hosting a very special Valentine’s GAY Spectacular!

There are so few LGBTQ+ centric Valentine’s Day events! Join us Valentine’s night for screenings of the award-winning CALL ME BY YOUR NAME and cult classic BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER plus lots of fun surprises.