I wait all year for the last week in August, and I will admit, living in Alabama, that is a wild statement. The last week in August is generally when the temperatures are hotter than on the surface of the sun and walking outside feels like you are slapped in the face with a wall of humidity. But still, it’s my favorite week to live in Birmingham, Alabama.
That is because for the last 28 years, Sidewalk Film Festival has welcomed filmmakers from all over the world to the Magic City for a joyful, week-long celebration of independent film. This year’s lineup boasts an embarrassment of riches with over 200 films from almost every genre including documentaries, short films, animated films, comedies, dramas, etc. There is something for everyone on the lineup. You start your day with a nostalgic dose of classic Saturday morning cartoons along with a cereal bar on Saturday morning!
Credit: Rebecca Angel Baer
Many filmmakers will be in attendance for the screenings of their films and will participate in question and answer sessions after their showing. The festival’s footprint includes about a dozen iconic locations in downtown Birmingham including The Alabama Theatre, The Lyric Theatre, The Carver Theatre, and Sidewalk Cinema, just to name a few.
As festival goers scurry from film to film, you’ll often hear the cheerful greeting, “happy Sidewalk!” shouted between friends and strangers alike. Roughly 15,000 people attend annually and you’d be hard pressed to not make a new friend or two throughout the week. I know that I have.
I’ve attended as a fan almost every year since I moved to Birmingham. That first summer, a few friends and I dipped our toes in with just a day pass for Saturday, but by the end of that night, we were hooked! We vowed to get weekend passes the next year. In the years since, I’ve made an entire group of friends here that are my Sidewalk crew.
Because when the festival ends, the city is still lucky to have Sidewalk Cinema year-round. If you didn’t know, there is a nonprofit, independent cinema in the basement of the Pizitz building right in downtown Birmingham. Sidewalk brings in new, independent movies and box office juggernauts alike, all year long. They also offer classes for all ages, and free community events like trivia, watch parties for popular TV shows, and themed screenings. It’s truly become a home away from home, or a third space for me as well as for a large number of fellow film-loving Birminghamians.
Credit: Rebecca Angel Baer
Last year I went from just being a festival attendee to volunteering on the screening committee. I got to put my love of cinema to good use, helping to select the films that will ultimately make it into the festival. I also got to introduce two films and moderate the Q&A with the filmmakers afterwards for Wicket, and the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature, Ali Eats America. In my second year on this committee, I am excited to have the opportunity to introduce three films to the festival audience. I will be introducing Earth to Michael, Don’t Come Upstairs, and I Got Bombed At Harvey’s.
Credit: Rebecca Angel Baer
A few of the other titles I am really excited about this year are A Woman’s Work, Hunky Jesus, Sender, Saber, The Bulldogs, and a special late night feature presented by local horror movie troupe, TVs of Terror—but that truly is just a few because I am just so excited about them all. And I will cram as many into my schedule as I can!
While the bulk of the festival takes place over the weekend, festivities really begin on Monday, August 24, as there are Spotlight screenings of films in specific categories every afternoon and evening of the week leading up to the big opening night film and party on Friday, August 28. The festival runs through Sunday evening, August 30. For more information, the full schedule of films, and to buy tickets, check out the Sidewalk website. I promise, this is a must-attend event!
Read the original article on Southern Living