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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema

Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema
1821 2nd Avenue North,
205-324-0888

Sidewalk is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging filmmaking in Alabama and building audiences for independent film.

We produce the nationally recognized Sidewalk Film Festival, the SHOUT LGBTQ Film Festival; organize a wide variety of educational programs for filmmakers and hold other events that create interest in and enthusiasm for independent film. To expand on this work and better serve our mission we have opened the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, a two-screen independent movie theater in the heart of Birmingham’s historic theatre district.

For two decades our organization’s premier event has been the Sidewalk Film Festival, which showcases the work of more than 250 filmmakers and welcomes 15,000 film lovers to Birmingham annually.  Since its debut in 1998, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. The Festival continues to thrive with increased submissions, ticket sales, and press coverage.

Sidewalk celebrates inclusion and diversity for the benefit of the community and our employees. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Recent News

Sidewalk Featured in Movie Maker's 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2024!

We're incredibly honored to be included in MovieMaker Magazine's prestigious list this year! Read about us and the other great fests here. Entries for the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival (August 19 - 25) close on May 31. Submit your film Now…

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Sidewalk's Membership Drive: March 1 - 31, 2024

Sidewalk's Membership Drive - All Month Long! Dear [First Name], Thank you for being a friend of Sidewalk! I’m reaching out to you today to ask you to consider becoming a Sidewalk member. Our membership levels are listed here and…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - January 16, 2024

The Iron Claw Dir. Sean Durkin Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - December 27, 2023

Our Lowest Festival VIP Passes of the Year! Our Early Bird VIP Pass Sale ends Sunday (12/31) at MIDNIGHT! This is the cheapest price you'll be able to get VIP Passes for the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival, so you won't want to miss out! Get…

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Sidewalk's Holiday Gift Guide

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - December 11, 2023

Holiday Scramble Screening 12/13 - 7:00pm Join us to watch the films created by local filmmakers during the Holiday Scramble, a 48 hour film competition! Don't forget, the audience will select the audience choice winner! More Info + Tickets …

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - December 4, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including the start of our Holiday Series! Holidays at Sidewalk: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Dir. Brian Henson Starring Michael Caine,…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - November 27, 2023

The 14th Annual $10k Party At Events at Haven (link) This high-stakes soirée offers lots of chances to win—including the $10,000 grand prize! Grab yourself a ticket for $100 and get one entry for the $10,000 drawing (1 in 305 odds).…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - November 20, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! P.S. Don't miss our Black Friday sale! In-person at the Cinema November 24 - 26 Online/Cyber Monday November 27 Noirvember: The Maltese…

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Jewish Film Week is November 12 - 18, 2023

Jewish Film Week is November 12 - 18! Sidewalk's Jewish Film Week is a cinematic exploration of Jewish culture, history, art, and life in Israel. The 2023 JFW will showcase 11 feature films (listed below) across the 7 day event, with most films…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - October 25, 2023

Announcing our Jewish Film Week Titles! Sidewalk Jewish Film Week is a cinematic exploration of Jewish culture, history, art, and life in Israel. The 2023 JFW will showcase 11 feature films (listed below) across the 7 day event, with most films…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - October 9, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including the kickoff to our The House is Haunted Halloween Series! Stop Making Sense Dir. Jonathan Demme Starring Talking Heads Newly…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - October 2, 2023

Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including Festival de Cine! Free Festival de Cine at Sidewalk Cinema tickets generously provided by ¡HICA! Boletos gratis para el Festival de Cine en Sidewalk Cinema…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - September 25, 2023

Improv! At the Cinema Join us for Improv! At the Cinema, a short-form improv comedy show where the audience is part of the fun. This fast-paced improv show incorporates audience suggestions in every game–even getting audience members on…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - September 12, 2023

Southern Circuit: Pints Before Pictures - Building Relationships in Documentary Filmmaking - FREE! Join One Pint at a Time's director Aaron Hosé and producer Brigitte Hosé in the is FREE discussion on how they developed trust with…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - September 6, 2023

Karate Kid Fest: The Karate Kid (1984) Dir. John G. Avildsen Starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita A martial arts master agrees to teach karate to a bullied teenager. 9/7 - 2:00pm (Early Bird Special) 9/8 - 2:00pm 9/10 - 7:30pm More Info + Tickets …

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema News - August 15, 2023

Wondering Where You Can Volunteer for the 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions? We've got a wide selections of some of the coolest venues in Birmingham for you to volunteer in! ASFA SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY BOX OFFICE BMA BJCC BOX…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - August 14, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Barbie Dir. Greta Gerwig Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - August 7, 2023

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - July 31, 2023

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - July 24, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including Free Movie Weekend sponsored by Pluto TV! Sidewalk Salon: Music Licensing for Filmmakers w/ Craig Brandwein (FREE!) In this Salon,…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - July 10, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Asteroid City Dir. Wes Anderson Starring Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer convention is…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week -July, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Asteroid City Dir. Wes Anderson Starring Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - June 26, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including Middle Earth Fest! Middle Earth Fest - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition) Dir. Peter Jackson…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - June 20, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including SHOUT Week! SHOUT Week: The Gospel According to André (2017) Dir. Kate Novack Starring André Leon Tally, Whoopi…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - June 12, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including Father's Day Western Weekend Slavery by Another Name Screening + Panel w/ Burdock Book Collective (Free!) Dir. Sam Pollard The…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema Week - June 5, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Vinegar Projects Presents: Pasture w/ Director Asa Mendelsohn (FREE!) Dir. Asa Mendelsohn A grassroots movement successfully resists…

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Sidewalk Film Festival News - June 2, 2023

What's Happening in Education and Outreach at Sidewalk Vinegar Projects presents: Pasture + Post Film Discussion June 7 | 7PM | Free Join us for a free screening of Asa Mendelsohn's film, PASTURE, and a post film discussion moderated by Vinegar…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - May 15, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema. Filmmaker Grant Applications Now Open! Calling all Alabama filmmakers! We've got three great filmmaking grants open TODAY that you won't…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema News - Mother's Day Series

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including our Mother's Day Series! Celebrate Mother's Day at the Sidewalk Cinema! Does your mom/grandmother/stepmom/best friend's…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - May 1, 2023

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - April 24, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Ted Lasso Watch Party (FREE!) 4/24 - 7:00pm More Info + RSVP Beau Is Afraid 4/27 - 2:00pm (Early Bird Special) 4/27 - 3:15pm (Early Bird…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema News - 10 Days Left of Membership Drive!

There's No Place Like Sidewalk! Our 2023 Membership Drive is going on for TEN MORE DAYS! Join or renew your membership in the next ten days to follow us down the yellow brick road and get limited-edition Oz themed perks! Everyone who joins or…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - April 17, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including our inaugural Alabama Film Week! Alabama Film Week: Swiss Army Man 4/20 - 2:00pm (Early Bird Special) 4/20 - 4:50pm More Info…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - April 10, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema. Enys Men 4/11 - 4:45pm 4/13 - 2:00pm (Early Bird Special) 4/13 - 4:30pm (Early Bird Special) 4/13 - 7:00pm More Info + Tickets Only…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Week - April 18 - 23, 2023

Sidewalk's 2023 Alabama Film Week is April 18 - 23! One of Sidewalk's main goals has always been to celebrate local voices in film, from Birmingham as well as the entire state. Because of this, we're bringing you our inaugural Alabama Film Week…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema - This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema - There's No Place Like Sidewalk

Our 2023 Membership Drive officially begins Today! Join us in our upcoming membership drive for Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema. As a valued member, you will be an integral part of our mission to bring independent film and film education to the Magic…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Happenings - March 27, 2023

What's Happening in Education and Outreach at Sidewalk Join us TONIGHT for a special Southern Circuit screening! Blurring the Color Line Screening + Post-Film Discussion with director Crystal Kwok March 27 | $15 | 7PM Sidewalk Film Center +…

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This Week At The Sidewalk Cinema - March 20, 2023

This Week at the Sidewalk Cinema Everything we have playing the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema. Cocaine Bear Early Bird Special - $5 Tickets, free coffee, on-screen captions & reduced capacity: 3/23 - 2:30pm Regular price: …

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Sidewalk Alum And Birmingham Natives Win Big At The Oscars

Sidewalk Alum and Birmingham Natives Win Big at the Oscars Unless you've been living under a rock - even a rock with googly eyes - you've probably already heard the amazing news: Everything Everywhere All At Once won a whopping seven Academy Awards…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema: Late Deadline For 2023 Sidewalk Fest Submissions One Week Away

The Late Deadline for the 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival is March 15! Just a reminder that the Late Deadline to submit your film to the 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival is ONE WEEK AWAY! Get yours submitted before prices go up! The 25th…

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Sidewalk Film Center And Cinema: What's Playing At The Cinema This Week

This Week at the Cinema Women In Film Week and everything else we have coming up the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Highlighted Titles from our Guest Programmers Big (1988) Programming Selection by Stacey Davis Why BIG? Because…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema Happenings - February 28, 2023

What's Happening in Education and Outreach at Sidewalk Join us for TWO special Southern Circuit screenings in March! Mama Bears Screening + Post-Film Discussion with Parker Cunningham and Tammi Terrell Morris March 15 | $15 | 7PM …

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema : Black Lens Film Week Full Lineup

Sidewalk’s Black Lens Film Week, a week dedicated to celebrating Black voices and stories, starts this coming Monday, February 20th and ends Sunday, February 26th. With titles ranging from engaging narratives, family-friendly films, cult…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema: What's Playing At The Cinema This Week

This Week at the Cinema Here's what we have coming up the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema, including the return of our Kiss'Em or Diss'Em Valentine's Spectacular! Southern Circuit - Insights on Documentary Filmmaking Ethics and Impact…

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What's Happening In Education And Outreach At Sidewalk

Sidewrite Screenplay Competetion Seeks Readers! We are seeking readers for the Sidewrite Review Committee! The Sidewrite Review Committee is the first step in our Sidewrite Screenwriting Competition evaluation. Sidewrite Readers provide feedback…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema : What's Playing at the Cinema This Week - January 30, 2023

Holocaust in Film 2023: Au Revoir Les Infants (1987) Tickets are $5, free popcorn is provided for all attendees, and there will be a post-film discussion led by local film director, producer, and historian, Michele Forman. 1/31 - 6:00pm More…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema : What's Playing at the Cinema This Week

This Week at the Cinema Here's what we have coming up the next seven days at the Sidewalk Cinema! Holocaust in Film 2023: Above the Drowning Sea (2017) Tickets are $5, free popcorn is provided for all attendees, and there will be a post-film…

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Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema - The Stowe Story Labs Deadline Is January 5, 2023

The deadline for 2023 Stowe Story Labs programs, fellowships, and partial scholarships is 1 day away–as well as to be considered for the annual Sidewalk/Stowe Story Labs Fellowship! The fellowship will be awarded to a top emerging filmmaker…

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