Your guide to the 27th Sidewalk Film Festival, August 18-24

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Mark your calendars—it’s nearly time for one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year! Held annually in downtown Birmingham, Sidewalk Film Festival is a week-long celebration of films and filmmakers filled with 200+ features, short films, documentaries and more screened in the prettiest historic venues in the Magic City.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about this year’s Sidewak Film Festival and make sure to get your tickets before prices go up on Friday, August 1.

Lights, camera, action! The 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival kicks off August 18

Since its founding in 1999, Sidewalk Film Festival has grown into one of the biggest annual events in downtown Birmingham. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Festivals in the World by Movie Maker Magazine and one of the Top 10 Festivals for the Rest of Us by TIME Magazine, the week-long festival offers:

• Screenings of more than 200 features, short films and documentaries
• Exclusive filmmaker Q&A’s
• Panels, workshops, networking events and parties

🗓️ Dates, Venues and Tickets 🎟️

• The 27th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank: Monday, August 18 — Sunday, August 24
• Venues
  • Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA)
  • Alabama Theatre
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Carver Theatre
  • First Church Birmingham
  • Lyric Theatre
  • Sidewalk Cinema
• Ticket Options
  • 2025 Festival VIP Pass: $300
  • 2025 Weekend Pass: $120
  • 2025 Saturday Day Pass: $50
  • 2025 Sunday Day Pass: $50
  • Opening Night Film + Party Pass: $40
  • Saturday Night Party Pass: TBD

Tickets and passes can be picked up at Sidewalk Film Festival’s Main Box Office in The Gallery at The Pizitz starting Monday, August 18th at 11 am.

200+ documentaries, movies, short films and more in 7 days

Grab your popcorn—the 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival is packed with exclusive features, charming short films and inspiring documentaries.

The festivity-filled weekend kicks off on Friday, August 22 with the highly-anticipated Opening Night premiere of Stolen Kingdom—a documentary about the history of mischief, scandal and theft at Walt Disney World—followed by the traditional after party on 3rd Avenue N.

The lineup also features two Saturday Night Spotlight Films:

• Salão de Baile (This Is Ballroom), a film following LGBTQ+ youth of color as they reclaim and reinvent Brazilian ballroom culture.
• The White House Effect: Inside George H.W. Bush’s White House, a documentary about the origin of the climate change crisis under President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

In addition to these three documentaries, the 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival lineup includes over 200 films, narratives, music videos, animated shorts and more. Over 20% of the festival’s lineup are Alabama-related films and nearly 40% of the features have a female director or co-director.

The film festival also features:

• Civil and social issues in its Life & Liberty Track
• Black Stories + Black Filmmakers in its Black Lens Track
• LGBTQ filmmakers and content in its SHOUT Track
• Local filmmakers from or currently residing in Alabama in its Alabama Track

Get your tickets to the 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank

Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile or just looking for a new, fun way to experience the magic of downtown Birmingham, the 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival is your ticket to an unforgettable weekend. Visit Sidewalk Film Festival’s website to learn more and get your tickets to this can’t-miss event.

What film (or films) are you looking forward to seeing at the 27th annual Sidewalk Film Festival? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

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