Established in 1999 as the flagship program of the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, Sidewalk Film Festival has perfected its own personal trifecta of quality film programming, filmmaker networking, and pure fun. Repeatedly recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 25 Festivals in the World and by TIME Magazine as one of the Top 10 Festivals for the Rest of Us, Sidewalk annually brings over 350 films to The Magic City. Low-priced passes, a concentrated footprint, and Southern Hospitality encourage filmmakers and attendees alike to connect during the festival week.
Among the wild uncertainty of this past year, Sidewalk made the active decision to host a scaled-down, socially-distanced, 100% drive-in version of the festival at the Grand River Drive-In in Leeds, AL. Despite the successes of this brand new venture, it is our hope and priority to safely return to the beloved historical theater district in downtown Birmingham, Alabama that has been the home of Sidewalk for the past 22 years. As we gear up for the 23rd Annual festival in August 2021, the Sidewalk team continues to monitor both state and local guidelines pertaining to large events with the full intention of hosting as "normal" a festival as possible.
Official 2020 Festival Recap Video here: youtu.be/4U4yWP-QC1U
Sidewalk actively strives to bring a variety of film to its audience. To that end, we are thrilled to highlight civil and social issues in our Life & Liberty track, diversity-related topics and black filmmakers in our Black Lens track, LGBTQ filmmakers and content with our SHOUT track, and family-friendly programming with our Family Festival track. As an Alabama festival in a city with multiple universities, we also spotlight our Alabama filmmakers and our student filmmakers.
Sidewalk is pleased to announce the return of our Sidewrite Competition for 2021. With categories for feature length screenplays, short screenplays, and Alabama screenplays, Sidewalk is looking for innovative and exciting scripts to recognize. In addition to cash prizes, winners are offered table read opportunities during the festival weekend and are able to apply for travel assistance to attend. Winning scripts are announced approximately one month prior to the festival event date. Sidewalk also offers a screenplay category that provides feedback on any submitted screenplay. Please use the Screenplay + Feedback category for this option.
Sidewalk is also pleased to partner with Vermont-based non-profit Stowe Story Labs (stowestorylabs.org) to offer the third annual Sidewalk/Stowe Narrative Lab from August 25-28 during the 23rd Annual Sidewalk Film Festival. This will be a remote program, making it easily accessible to all. Application season is now open for all 2021 Stowe Story Labs programming. Apply for the 2021 Sidewalk Narrative Lab at stowestorylabs.submittable.com/submit.
Now in their 9th year, Stowe Story Labs brings screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers together with seasoned industry professionals through intensive labs and expansive retreats to help get projects made and seen. This four-day remote Sidewalk Lab is an intensive program to introduce writers to key considerations when building work for the big or small screen. The aim of this Narrative Lab is to prepare participants to best place themselves and their projects in the film industry in partnership with our diverse, electric film festival in the South.
Praise for Sidewalk:
MovieMaker Magazine: "Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" (2017, 2016)
The Washington Post: "Summer Preview" film festival (2015)
MovieMaker magazine: “The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” (2015, 2014)
USA TODAY: "One of the Top 10 Places for a Fabulous Film Festival” (2013)
TIME Magazine: "Top 10 Festivals for the Rest of Us" (2006)
JURY AND PROGRAMMER'S AWARDS
Jambor-Franklin Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature $1,000
Best Documentary Feature $1,000
Best Narrative Short $500
Best Documentary Short $500
Best Animated Short $250
Kathryn Tucker Windham Storytelling Award (Shorts) $250
Best Student Film $250
Best Family Film $250
Alan Hunter Best Alabama Film $500
Best SHOUT Feature $500
Best SHOUT Short $250
Feature Programmers' Award $500
Short Programmers' Award $250
Best Life & Liberty Film $250
Best Black Lens Film $250
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature $250
Best Documentary Feature $250
Best Narrative Short $150
Best Documentary Short $150
Best Shout Film (Feature or Short) $250
Best Alabama Film (Feature or Short) $250
Best Black Lens Film $250
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay $500
Best Short Screenplay $250
Best Alabama Screenplay $250
*The jury, at their discretion, may choose to award a special jury prize, honorable mention, etc. These prizes/mentions DO NOT include either a cash award, a physical award (trophy, plaque, etc), or prizewinner's laurels.