I’ll be picking up my VIP Pass as soon as the Central Box Office opens Monday, August 19 @ 11 to get my mind right for the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank! I have like 100 kids and don’t typically make it out to the Spotlight Nights at the Cinema, but we just had our 101st kid (4th, actually) and I’m currently on Paternity Leave, so I’m going to do my level best to make it out during the week. With programming like Movie Trivia on Monday and Karaoke on Wednesday, it’s going to be hard to keep me away! I’m also very interested in the Black Lens Spotlight film, The South Got Something to Say and the Lip Sync Battle that follows!
FRIDAY (Aug. 23)
OPENING NIGHT! There is really nothing to say here. This is, in my humble opinion, the single best night of the year in Birmingham and not to be missed! Make sure to get your VIP Pass, so you can take advantage of the open bars at the Opening Night Pre-Party AND After Party. I’m also looking forward to the Opening Night film itself, Exhibiting Forgiveness, featuring Bessemer native, André Holland, in the lead role.
SATURDAY (Aug. 24)
This is my 11th year involved with the Festival (either volunteering, co-producing, or serving on the board) and I NEVER miss the Saturday Morning Cartoons! There is simply no better way to start the festival weekend and the commercials always steal the show.
After cereal, Bloody Marys, and 80s/90s cartoons and commercials, I’ll find my way upstairs from the Sidewalk Cinema to the VIP Lounge @ the former SoCu space at The Pizitz. Yet another plug to make sure you get a VIP Pass for the festival, because this is a haven throughout the fest to have more complimentary drinks, food, and recharge/plan your next mov(i)e!
I’ve got two options @ 12:30 – either finally catch Nathan Avakian Silent Film Series @ The Alabama Theatre, where he plays a live score he composed for a silent film on the famous Wurlitzer, “Big Bertha”, or watch a really interesting looking documentary, Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg back down at the Sidewalk Cinema.
Next on the agenda is another of my “can’t miss” programs every year, the Animated Shorts block at the ASFA Recital Hall. This is always one of my favorites and chock full of unique content you’ll likely not catch anywhere else. It will also be cool to see the newly renovated space at ASFA.
Because I’m clearly just going to live at the Sidewalk Cinema on Saturday (FAR worse places to be!), I’m going to head back and catch one of the Secret Screenings. These are surprise screenings and ALWAYS sell out, so I’m hoping I’ll have the good fortune to get into one of them.
I’ve got another game time decision to make for my last screening of the day. I might catch the After Dark Shorts @ ASFA Black Box (another newly renovated space), which is always a great group of shorts, if you like things like Black Mirror. Alternatively, I’ll catch My Name is Alfred Hitchcock at The Lyric. The trailer looks incredibly compelling and The Lyric is one of my absolute favorite places to watch a film.
Lastly, but certainly not least-ly, I’ll head to Workplay for the Saturday Night Party, where we’re allegedly “making a movie, y’all”. I truly can’t overstate how much you need to make sure you get yourself a VIP Pass, which also gets you into what will be another amazing party put on by the incomparable, Jeff Nixon.
SUNDAY (Aug. 25)
Sunday morning at The Alabama is another annual ritual for me, this year with the South Korean thriller Sleep. It’s definitely a vibe and if you ask our Creative Director, Rachel Morgan, it’s the place to be to start your Sunday @ Sidewalk.
Sunday is a day that I typically spend a lot of in the VIP Lounge. I tend to have grand plans to see as many films as I can squeeze in, but I inevitably need some R&R at many points, so I’ll be there with bells when it opens up @ 12.
I caught the trailer for Resynator at the Festival Sneak Peak and I’ve been looking forward to it since, so I’ll mozy my way back to The Alabama Theatre. If you can’t tell yet, I’m a creature of habit, so I’ll be bouncing back-and-forth between The Alabama and VIP Lounge for about 7 hours as I watch another two films I saw trailers for at the Sneak Peak, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (this one is THE FILM I’m most excited about in the entire festival line-up) and the Closing Night Film Missing from Fire Trail Road.
Between the Closing Night Film and the Awards Show @ The Lyric, I’m going to pop back over to the Sidewalk Cinema to see All Happy Families, because the trailer features Josh Radnor and Rob Huebel, and I love those dudes!
P.S. If you’ve never been to Awards Show, do yourself a favor and attend! You’ll be voting for films all weekend and you should go see the filmmakers who win the awards! It’s also a really entertaining program every year.
Thanks for indulging my best laid plans for the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival and don’t hate me if I completely blow them up and stay in the VIP Lounge the entire time and miss everything!
HAPPY SIDEWALK!
Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema Board Member Josh Hickman
Passes + Single Tickets are available NOW at sidewalkfest.com/tix.
10am ASFA Recital Hall: 
12:30pm ASFA Recital Hall: 
3pm ASFA Recital Hall: 
5 pm Alabama Theatre: 
10am Lyric Theatre: 
12:30pm Alabama Theatre: 
3pm Alabama Theatre: 
10am
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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.
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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.