The 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank is less than two weeks away and Board Member Laura Chappell has provided us with the itinerary she’s sticking to during the weekend.
Take a look at what she’ll be up to and plan your own schedule at sidewalkfest.com/sched!
SATURDAY (August 24):
- 9am: Lace up comfy shoes, grab my backpack loaded with band-aids, aspirin, portable charger, and a light sweater (some theaters can be chilly!) and head to Cala Coffee to fuel up for the best weekend of the year! I haven’t missed one since I moved back to Birmingham in 2003!
10am: Normally I don’t miss Saturday Morning Cartoons (Cereal! Cold pizza! Bloody Marys!), but the Olympics have me hooked on surfing, so I’m off to Maya and the Wave at the Alabama Theatre: the perfect vibe to kick off the weekend.
10am
- 12pm: Hustle over to Happy Campers. The trailer gives off a Nomadland vibe, so I’m intrigued.
12pm
- Lunchtime: Time to hit the food trucks and VIP area! I love chatting with fellow movie lovers about their picks. Sometimes I even scrap my plan to join someone else’s adventure. If you’re new, don’t be shy! Just ask someone what they’re seeing next. And remember, the weekend’s greeting is “Happy Sidewalk!”
- 3:15pm: Starring Jerry as Himself looks fascinating. I don’t know much about it, but I like to go in without too many spoilers.
3:15pm
- 5pm: With 30 minutes to spare, I’ll recharge in the VIP area before catching Secret Mall Apartment.
5pm:
- Evening: Grab dinner and hear some jazz at the 4th Ave Jazz Festival (2-10pm) just down the street. Then it’s off to Shorts: After Dark. I love shorts because you can hop in and out. After about an hour, I’ll head to Workplay for the Saturday Night Party!
SUNDAY (Aug. 25)
- 10am: My husband, Kevin, and I will debate the first movie. He likes at least one horror film, so is eyeing Sleep, but I’m leaning toward Whatever It Takes, a “bizarre tale of online revenge.” We might split up, but I usually convince him to join me!
10am
- 12:30pm – Cutting it close, so will grab a Veo Bike to the Shorts: Documentary B at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
- Afternoon: Snack break in the VIP area, then to the Alabama Theatre for Humanist Vampire Seeking Suicidal Person, a coming-of-age film about a teen vampire with an aversion to killing.
Afternoon: - 6pm: Glad I will have already seen The South Got Something to Say on Thursday (Black Lens Spotlight Night), so I don’t have to choose between that and Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted.
- Final Lap: If I’m up for it, I’ll dash to All Happy Families. This will involve some strategic standing at the back of the theater and sprinting when the credits roll. But that’s what the comfy shoes and band-aids are for!
Final Lap:Note to Self: Take Monday off to recover!
Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema Board Member Laura Chappell
Passes + Single Tickets are available NOW at sidewalkfest.com/tix.
This year’s Opening Night selection not only shares a cast member with Barry Jenkins’ 2016 Oscar-winning masterpiece in Alabama’s own Andre Holland, it shares its humanism, sensitivity and compassion for all its characters. In telling the story of Holland’s central character, an acclaimed artist whose creative and personal life is rocked by the sudden reemergence of his addict father (an amazing performance from John Earl Jelks), Exhibiting Forgiveness examines how we can rise from the ashes of a traumatic childhood and rebuild ourselves anew, while asking difficult questions about what it means to forgive those who made our childhoods traumatic. On top of its many other sterling attributes, Titus Kaphar’s feature debut also costars Oscar nominees Andra Day and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Sidewalk is proud to open our 26
The latest film from Veronica Franz and Severin Fiala (The Lodge, Goodnight Mommy) is a harsh and uncompromising look at the agonizing depression of a newlywed wife in rural 18
Why did one of the most popular software programs for teaching typing at the dawn of personal computing use a Haitian-born model on its cover? In Seeking Mavis Beacon, two young filmmakers/investigators dig into the program’s legacy, particularly on young Black women with an interest in technology for whom Mavis Beacon was an unexpected inspiration — even though she was a fictitious figure. Seeking Mavis Beacon isn’t just an investigative doc on a pop culture subject, though, as the filmmakers document their own lives, the making of this film and a broader examination of the intersection of technology and identity.
In this Korean black comedy-horror film, a newlywed husband (the late Lee Sun-kyun of Parasite) starts committing increasingly disturbing acts in his sleep. What’s the cause — something medical or supernatural? His wife (Jung Yu-mi of Train to Busan) can only watch in horror as her husband’s unconscious behavior grows worse — until she decides to take action to solve the problem herself, and things, somehow, get even stranger. A deft mixture of tones and genre that could only come from South Korea, Sleep recalls the slippery thrillers of Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, proving hard to pin down and even harder to predict what’s coming next.
The story of a group of comics who go on a reproductive rights-related comedy tour to protest the narrowing of abortion access (including a memorable visit to Birmingham), No One Asked You depicts the push back against our nation’s misogynistic erosion of bodily autonomy and civil liberties in funny, furious and unforgettable ways. Lizz Winstead, the co-creator of The Daily Show, hits the road with her Abortion Access Front and fellow comedians and activists, and places herself at the frontline of the abortion rights debate by visiting and supporting providers and clinics besieged by protestors and hypocritical politicians. 
It’s fair to say Sidewalk loves the films of Joel Potrykus — largely deadpan, grimy examinations of arrested development in modern men — and Vulcanizadora, a sequel to Buzzard, might be his best work yet, following his thematic concerns to an unavoidably bleak but logical conclusion. Vulcanizadora follows Marty (Joshua Burge) and Derek (Potrykus) as they trek into the Michigan woods. As in Buzzard, the talkative Derek chatters away as Marty broods — but this is a trip that only gradually reveals itself to be far darker than your average camping excursion. And when their plans go awry, the film morphs into an examination of immaturity, existential dissatisfaction, and the walls men can erect around them to avoid being damaged by their own feelings or the consequences of their own actions.
1. Black Lens Spotlight Night: 
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The documentary The South Got Something to Say serves as a nostalgic journey through the evolution of Southern hip-hop, resonating deeply with those who grew up in the 80s and 90s. As highlighted in the Vox ATL review, the film encapsulates the essence of an era, blending good times and challenges while celebrating the transformative power of music. It offers a compelling narrative that reflects on both the hardships and triumphs of Southern artists, showcasing their contributions to a genre that profoundly shaped a generation. Through its curated selection of music and poignant storytelling, the documentary not only educates but also evokes a sense of cultural pride and musical appreciation among its viewers.
Following Harry is more than just a documentary; it is a powerful call to action. It challenges audiences to reflect on the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in the pursuit of social justice. The film is both beautiful and thought-provoking, a testament to Belafonte’s enduring influence and a reminder of the importance of continuing the struggle for a just and equitable world.
Era Oculta – “Hidden Era” unfolds in the vibrant city of Maputo, where Rastafari artist Phambi (28) grapples with securing his son’s education amidst the rhythmic beats of Mozambique. Perennially on the brink of expulsion due to payment delays, Phambi’s artistic journey becomes a compelling narrative, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of an artist navigating the unique landscape of Mozambique.
Gospel’s divine legacy. Immerse yourself in the unforgettable night of gospel music with the captivating Blind Boys of Alabama and conductor Dr. Henry Panion III. Join the Grammy Award-winning artists as they collaborate with an accomplished orchestra, a blended Alabama choir featuring members from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Fight Like A Girl 
When Danielle Metz’s triple life sentence was commuted, she got a rare chance to regain the life and family that she’d been dreaming about in prison. But back home in New Orleans, she steps into a different reality. Commuted traces Danielle’s journey to find purpose and love, and to confront the wounds of incarceration that linger after release from prison.
Los Frikis, directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, is a poignant feature inspired by true events in Cuba in the 90s. Our expectations of the archetypal coming-of-age narrative were shattered by the raw performances of the cast and their characters’ journeys for freedom in an unpredictable world.
Your Fat Friend, directed by Jeanie Finlay provides a glimpse into the life of writer Aubrey Gordon, an anonymous blogger turned New York Times best selling author. This documentary highlights Aubrey’s experience of being a fat person and her journey to disrupt society’s ideas and change the way fat people are treated.
Sabbath Queen directed by Sandi DuBowski, is a deeply moving feature documentary filmed in the span of 21 years. The documentary follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis. We were intrigued by the juxtaposition of familial ties + traditional expectations vs fashioning your own path as a unique and multifaceted individual. 
All Happy Families, is a charming modern family dramedy portrait directed by Haroula Rose. We were swept away by the magnificent cast performances and their characters’ tangle of family dysfunctionality.
Playing to Survive: von Cramm vs. Hitler, the slick documentary directed by Annette Baumeister impressed us with sleek animation and high-quality archival footage of the international tennis champion Gottfried von Cramm. This documentary highlights how von Cramm’s sexual orientation was weaponized against him and his steadfast commitment to his principles to avoid any involvement with the Nazi Party.
Midwinter, directed by Ryan Balas is a melodic tale of finding shelter in others. It tells the story of a blooming song-writer going through the motions of a break up. Additionally the film tackles the subject of motherhood, expanding marriages and multiple sclerosis.
Chaperone
No One Asked You
A Song For Imogene
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Welcome Space Brothers