Alabama's film industry is on the rise. This TechBirmingham × Sidewalk lunch-and-learn brings together voices spanning the creative ecosystem, from award-winning commercial and broadcast production, to grassroots filmmaker development and documentary storytelling preserving overlooked Southern history. Together, they'll dig into what it takes to build a sustainable creative industry here: talent pipelines, the technology reshaping how films get made, and the infrastructure required to keep momentum going. Moderated by Sidewalk's own Jessica Chriesman, a leader in film education and audience engagement.
Lunch is included. This event is free but registration is required at bit.ly/tt-aug26 Doors at 11:30, Panel at noon.
A remarkable story of an Appalachian community. A Woman's Work shares the natural beauty of the region while focusing on the hard-working people and their daily struggles. A stirring portrayal of a female coal miner working to support her sisters while dreaming of a life with her secret girlfriend. This film truly makes you feel for these characters and the beauty and sadness of their daily lives.
A remarkable story of an Appalachian community. A Woman's Work shares the natural beauty of the region while focusing on the hard-working people and their daily struggles. A stirring portrayal of a female coal miner working to support her sisters while dreaming of a life with her secret girlfriend. This film truly makes you feel for these characters and the beauty and sadness of their daily lives.
Celebrate powerful storytelling, bold voices, and the filmmakers bringing them to the screen!
Join us on Tuesday, August 25 for the SHOUT LGBTQ+ Film Spotlight Happy Hour, presented in partnership with Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO). Connect with filmmakers, festival guests, and fellow film lovers as we celebrate outstanding LGBTQ+ cinema and the community that makes these stories possible.
Raise a glass to inclusive storytelling, meaningful connections, and an unforgettable evening at the Sidewalk Film Festival.
A selection of short documentary, and narrative films that highlight the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.
Church Hat Directed by Miceál Og O'Donnell 7:04 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere BLACK LENS, SHOUT When his traditional Jamaican mother catches him playing dress-up with her prized church hats (crowns), a young boy expects trouble. Instead, he discovers that love means being seen, accepted, and celebrated exactly as he is.
Sofia Directed by Camila de Ilhéus 09:44 • United States • Alabama Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM, FESTIVAL DE CINE A quick waxing session turns into a nightmare when a Brazilian accidentally gets a brazilian.
Leo Lets It Rain Directed by Jasmin Prophete 11:20 • United States • Southern US Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS, STUDENT Leo, a trans man with undiagnosed ADHD, is on his way to win back his ex-girlfriend when his plans are thwarted by a storm, forcing him to slow down and reevaluate.
The Burial of the Black Cat Directed by Maryam Esmaeli 14:58 • Iran • World Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT An 11-year-old girl meets her sister, who has transitioned and is now her brother. Struggling to accept this, she makes him reenact scenes from their childhood to mend their bond.
Dirty Fuzz Directed by Daniel Chimes 15:00 • Canada, United States • World Premiere SHOUT, STUDENT After rookie cop Lurleen impulsively shoots her obnoxious squadmate, she needs to raise $1000 to fund a back alley surgery to remove the bullet. A desperate attempt to shakedown a strip club for money turns into a paradigm shifting experience.
Love Birds Directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris 27:40 • United States • Alabama Premiere DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California's Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.
A selection of short documentary, and narrative films that highlight the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.
Church Hat Directed by Miceál Og O'Donnell 7:04 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere BLACK LENS, SHOUT When his traditional Jamaican mother catches him playing dress-up with her prized church hats (crowns), a young boy expects trouble. Instead, he discovers that love means being seen, accepted, and celebrated exactly as he is.
Sofia Directed by Camila de Ilhéus 09:44 • United States • Alabama Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM, FESTIVAL DE CINE A quick waxing session turns into a nightmare when a Brazilian accidentally gets a brazilian.
Leo Lets It Rain Directed by Jasmin Prophete 11:20 • United States • Southern US Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS, STUDENT Leo, a trans man with undiagnosed ADHD, is on his way to win back his ex-girlfriend when his plans are thwarted by a storm, forcing him to slow down and reevaluate.
The Burial of the Black Cat Directed by Maryam Esmaeli 14:58 • Iran • World Premiere NARRATIVE, SHOUT An 11-year-old girl meets her sister, who has transitioned and is now her brother. Struggling to accept this, she makes him reenact scenes from their childhood to mend their bond.
Dirty Fuzz Directed by Daniel Chimes 15:00 • Canada, United States • World Premiere SHOUT, STUDENT After rookie cop Lurleen impulsively shoots her obnoxious squadmate, she needs to raise $1000 to fund a back alley surgery to remove the bullet. A desperate attempt to shakedown a strip club for money turns into a paradigm shifting experience.
Love Birds Directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris 27:40 • United States • Alabama Premiere DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California's Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.
MEX, FRA, USA • 1 hour 12 minutes Directed by Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig
Jaripeo offers a nuanced exploration of queer identity within the deeply traditional world of hypermasculine Mexican rodeos. Set in rural Michoacán, the film captures the eclectic lives of rancheros that navigate this secret subculture which both honors and defies the rigid cowboy mythology. Lensed beautifully on Super 8, Jaripeo is the feature directorial debut of Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig.
MEX, FRA, USA • 1 hour 12 minutes Directed by Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig
Jaripeo offers a nuanced exploration of queer identity within the deeply traditional world of hypermasculine Mexican rodeos. Set in rural Michoacán, the film captures the eclectic lives of rancheros that navigate this secret subculture which both honors and defies the rigid cowboy mythology. Lensed beautifully on Super 8, Jaripeo is the feature directorial debut of Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig.
