Sidewalk Film Festival is back Aug. 22-28—everything you need to know before you go

Lights. Camera. Action! Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District comes alive, August 22-28, as the Sidewalk Film Festival returns for its 24th year. Before you grab your fave movie-going snacks, here’s everything you need to know before attending the event. 

What is the Sidewalk Film Festival?

The Sidewalk Film Festival is a beloved annual film festival in the heart of Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District. Taking place August 22-28, the festival celebrates independent film and filmmakers, welcoming 15,000 film lovers to The Magic City annually!

How many films can you see during the event? As many as you’d like. According to Chloe Cook, Executive Director of Sidewalk Film, this year’s festival will showcase more than 250 films across 10 screens!

What’s playing?

Ready for the lineup of films featured during this year’s Sidewalk Film Festival? With over 250 films screenings throughout the festival, we can’t cover them all, but here are a few to pique your interest.

1. A Walk with Joey

• Director: Dana Lynn Falletta and J. Neil Bloomer
• Genre: Documentary (Alabama, Life & Liberty)
• Synopsis: Joey Hale survived a brain tumor at a very young age and defied all odds to mount a recovery, thanks to some needed inspiration from his beloved football team the San Diego Chargers and a close friendship with former Auburn player Lionel “Little Train” James. Now Joey pays it forward to others all around the Birmingham area and beyond, bringing smiles to his customers at Publix and ministry and charity to those less fortunate. A Walk With Joey is a fond portrait of a true Alabama original whose life has touched thousands.

2. Funny Pages

• Director: Owen Kline
• Genre: Narrative
• Synopsis: A young cartoonist drops out of school to make it on his own in the seedy margins of Trenton, New Jersey, in this dark comedy from A24 and producers Josh and Benny Safdie. The directorial debut of actor Owen Kline, Funny Pages is a grimy and gleefully tasteless look at a subculture of comic book-obsessed young men.

3. Good Girl Jane

• Director: Sarah Elizabeth Mintz
• Genre: Narrative
• Synopsis: A lonely teenage girl falls in with the wrong crowd in this stunning debut feature from Sarah Elizabeth Mintz. Rain Spencer stars at the title character, who meets a group of trendy friends and starts experimenting with drugs in the aftermath of her parents’ divorce. But Jane soon falls under the sway of a charming older man — and things spiral out of control. You may think you know this story, but you’ve never seen it done quite this well. Good Girl Jane won Best Narrative Film and Best Performance for Spencer at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival.

Want more? View the full schedule.

Film locations

With over 250 films, there will be 10 locations screening films throughout the seven-day festival—all in Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District. Exciting news—the newly-renovated Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts is on the list!

Here’s a look at where films will be screening during this year’s event:

• Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Lyric Theatre, 1800 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1631 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• First Church Birmingham, 518 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Recital Hall + Lecture Hall
• Birmingham Museum of Art Steiner Auditorium, 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203

INSIDE TIP: With so many films to see at varying locations, planning ahead is key. Customize your festival schedule via Sidewalk’s handy scheduling tool. Trust us—it’s a lifesaver!

Festival Events

From fabulous films to unique parties, Sidewalk Film Festival is full of great events to take part in. Here’s a peek:

Sidewalk’s Saturday Night Roller Disco

• What: Grab your roller skates and head to the disco for a night of skating, drinks and more.
• When: Saturday, August 27 | 9PM-1AM
• Where: CityWalk BHAM
• Cost: $25 | VIP Passholders get FREE admission, drinks + skate rentals
• Tickets

Looking to save some dough? Put that wallet aside and discover these FREE events taking place during this year’s Sidewalk Film Festival:

• All panels and workshops

• Kids 12 and under get in FREE at all Family Line-up Screenings with a ticket/pass-holding parent or guardian. Screenings include The Karate Kid Part III, Bebe’s Kids, Family Shorts, Acting Out! and Cat Daddies

• TVS Of Terror Presents: SLEEPAWAY CAMP
  • When: August 22nd | 9:30PM
  • Where: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema 

• Saturday Morning Cartoons
  • When: August 27 | 10:15AM
  • Where: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema

• Storytime At The Lyric 
  • When: August 27 | 10:15am
  • Where: Lyric Theatre

• SideTalks Podcast Live
  • When: August 27 | 1PM 
  • Where: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema  – Cinema A

• Deliberate Indifference Podcast Conversation
  • When: August 28 | 4PM
  • Where: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema  – Cinema B

• The 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival Awards Show 
  • When: Sunday, August 28 | 9PM  
  • Where: The Lyric Theatre

• Classic MTV Music Videos 
  • When: August 28 | 5:20PM
  • Where: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema – Cinema A

Ticket Info

Now that you have all you need to know about this year’s Sidewalk Film Festival, it’s time grab your tickets and go! Pick your ticket choice below and buy now!

• Premium Single
  • Includes: access to that particular film or shorts block
  • Cost: $15

• Saturday Day Pass
  • Includes: access to regular screenings on Saturday, August 27
  • Cost: $35

• Sunday Day Pass
  • Includes: access to regular screenings on Sunday, August 28
  • Cost: $35

• Weekend Pass
  • Includes: all-access to festival weekend films + access to Opening Night Film and After Party
  • Cost: $95

• VIP Pass
  • Includes: all-access pass to the festival
  • Cost: $270

Are you ready for the 24th annual Sidewalk Film Festival, August 22-28? Stay up-to-date on all the fun—subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter.