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Both the Lyric and Alabama Theatres will host shows from Sidewalk Film Festival this year. (Jon Eastwood/ Bham Now)

Buckle up Birmingham—the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival is just around the corner! One of the most highly-anticipated events of the year, this festival presents scores of features and short films, all hosted in various beautiful and historic venues in The Magic City.

Read on for everything you need to know about Sidewalk Film Festival and how to get your tickets before prices go up on Thursday, August 1.

About the 26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival

Since its founding in 1999, Sidewalk Film Festival has been the place for independent filmmakers to screen their work, ranging from shorts to full-length features—and everything in between. In fact, Sidewalk Film Festival recently made MovieMaker’s annual list of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry.”

But Sidewalk Film Festival is much more than that. It’s an opportunity to see incredible films inside Birmingham’s oldest and most beautiful venues; a chance to laugh, cry, care and feel with your closest friends and complete strangers.

It is unlike any other event in the state and something that every Birminghamian should experience at least once.

100+ showings in 7 days

The weekend full of fun, festivities and films will kick off with the Opening Night feature film, “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” which stars Bessemer native and actor André Holland (who will be in attendance).

After the feature, stick around for the Opening Night After Party under the twinkling lights of the Alabama and Lyric Theatres. There will be food trucks, bars, music and much more.

Although there will be several showings throughout the week (August 19-23), most of Sidewalk Film Festival’s 100+ shorts, documentaries, narratives and more will be shown on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25.

Click here to see the full list of showings and create your custom itinerary.

Hosted in 11 venues throughout downtown Birmingham

With so many showings—and so little time—Sidewalk Film Festival utilizes several different venues throughout downtown Birmingham, including:

Alabama Theatre
ASFA Black Box
ASFA Dorothy Jemison Day Theater
ASFA Recital Hall
Birmingham Museum of Art
Carver Theatre
First Church Birmingham
Lyric Theatre
Sidewalk Cinema A
Sidewalk Cinema B
ASFA Lecture Hall

Check out the Festival Map to learn more.

Need a break? Rest areas + restaurants nearby

Hungry? Grab a bite at Trattoria Zaza during Sidewalk Film Festival. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Held in the heart of downtown, Sidewalk Film Festival is the perfect excuse to grab a bite at some of Birmingham’s best restaurants, including:

The Pizitz Food Hall
Paramount
Trattoria Zaza
Brick & Tin
Helen
Ahki’s
Bistro Two Eighteen
Cafe Dupont
The Yard
Moonshine
And more!

BONUS: VIP, filmmaker, sponsor and industry pass holders can relax in the Sidewalk Film Festival Lounge at The Pizitz Food Hall. Click here to learn more about the perks of VIP passes.