One of Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema’s most beloved traditions is back and bigger than ever! At Sidewalk’s Bad Movie Marathon, participants watch terrible movies back-to-back while raising money to support some of Sidewalk’s most important educational programs.

Read on to learn more about the Bad Movie Marathon, how you can participate and how you can support this year’s Bad Movie Marathon “runners” as they compete to see who can last the longest in the face of some really, really bad movies.

Not familiar with the Bad Movie Marathon? Here’s what you need to know 👇

Held in the Sidewalk Cinema in the basement of The Pizitz, the Sidewalk Bad Movie Marathon is exactly what it sounds like: a test of cinematic endurance that pits contestants against some truly awful movies. Although each year’s Bad Movie lineup is a closely guarded secret, past movies have included “Gigli”, “Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”—you get the gist.

Sidewalk encourages anyone to participate in the Bad Movie Marathon, whether you’re a casual weekend Netflix binger or a true cinephile—but there are rules:

Participants may not fall asleep during the marathon; the event will be live-streamed at all times.
Each marathoner is required to make at least one confessional over the course of the competition.
Participants must use the Slack channel for all communications during the marathon weekend.
You may not leave the cinema after 7PM on Friday, January 30 (see the next section for exceptions!)

Think you’re up to the task? Click here to learn more and register.

Want to join the fun but can’t commit to a full weekend of bad movies? This year, Sidewalk is offering $15 Peanut Gallery Tickets that give you a front-row seat to both the bad movies and the sleepless antics of the full marathoners.

Here’s how you can support this year’s Bad Movie Marathon “runners” 🎥

Not everyone is built for an overnight bad movie endurance test—but you can still support the folks who are!

To help shake up the competition and fundraise for Sidewalk, the Bad Movie Marathon includes “Hunger Games”-style sponsorship opportunities. Throughout the Marathon, participants can petition their friends, family and other supporters to “buy” them gifts that give them an edge over the competition, including:

Nap breaks
Veto power over films
Caffeinated beverages
Control of the thermostat in the theatre
A blanket and pillow
“Time in the Sun” and “Hall Pass” gifts that allow participants to briefly leave the cinema

Supporters can also grab limited-edition Bad Movie Marathon t-shirts on the website and donate to help support Sidewalk.

The Bad Movie Marathon supports Sidewalk’s educational programs

While the films may be terrible, the impact of the Bad Movie Marathon is anything but! Funds raised during the Bad Movie Marathon help power Sidewalk’s Education and Outreach programs throughout the year, including:

The Sidewalk Youth Board, which develops the next generation of filmmakers + film lovers here in The Magic City.
Sidewalk EDU, which teaches media literacy + critical film skills in local schools + libraries.
The Black Lens Filmmaker Grant + Membership, which helps amplify underrepresented voices in cinema.

Whether you’re groaning through yet another horrible flick or sending much-needed care packages to those who are, your support helps ensure these beloved local programs thrive.

Planning to support the Bad Movie Marathon this year? Or even show up to the Peanut Gallery? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

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