MEX • 1 hour 16 minutes Directed by Alejandra Alcala and Alex Garcia Martinez
Once a grim prison, now a Malawi migration camp. Asylum seekers convert hardship into inspiration, which is meant to crush the human spirit. The camp, on fire with resistance against inhumanity, empowers young people to host a vibrant festival that draws tens of thousands. Spoken word speaks truth to power, weaving strength and unity. Even in oppression, dreams are reborn and an unbreakable sense of community flourishes, defying every hardship.
MEX • 1 hour 16 minutes Directed by Alejandra Alcala and Alex Garcia Martinez
Once a grim prison, now a Malawi migration camp. Asylum seekers convert hardship into inspiration, which is meant to crush the human spirit. The camp, on fire with resistance against inhumanity, empowers young people to host a vibrant festival that draws tens of thousands. Spoken word speaks truth to power, weaving strength and unity. Even in oppression, dreams are reborn and an unbreakable sense of community flourishes, defying every hardship.
Celebrate the artists and stories shaping the future of Black cinema!
Join us on Wednesday, August 26 for the Black Lens Film Spotlight Happy Hour. Meet filmmakers, connect with fellow festivalgoers, and celebrate the creativity, talent, and powerful storytelling showcased throughout this year's Sidewalk Film Festival.
Raise a glass to bold voices, unforgettable films, and the community that brings them to life.
Wednesday August 26, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT Sidewalk Cinema Bar1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Films from the Black community in front of and behind the lens.
Spilled Milk Directed By Jared Leaf 13:04 • United States • Alabama Premiere NARRATIVE A father's innocent errand leads him to an encounter with an enigmatic figure called The Milk Man in this Jordan Peele produced film.
Dreamwalker Directed By Luca Schenato, Sinem Vardarli 15:00 • United Kingdom • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED, INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM, GENRE When a shaman embarks on a quest to save his village from extinction, he connects with a scientist from a different time who is also striving to save her civilization.
Eternal Directed By Joshua Jeffrey Miller 17:15 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, NARRATIVE "Eternal" is an allegorical tale about a man who, in his grief, seeks out death and the ability to see his loved one again.
Wall of Sound Directed By Anissa Latham-Brown 11:02 • United States ALABAMA, DOCUMENTARY, WOMEN IN FILM Watch the electrifying and intense journey of the nationally recognized Purple Marching Machine from Miles College—an HBCU in Fairfield, Alabama—as the band prepares for the 2025-2026 season.
Free Joan Little Directed By Yoruba Richen 35:17 • United States DOCUMENTARY, LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM In 1975, Joan Little became the first woman in US history to be acquitted of using deadly force to resist sexual assault. As a Black incarcerated woman in North Carolina who killed her white prison guard who was trying to rape her, Little's murder trial sparked a nationwide discussion on sexual assault.
Films from the Black community in front of and behind the lens.
Spilled Milk Directed By Jared Leaf 13:04 • United States • Alabama Premiere NARRATIVE A father's innocent errand leads him to an encounter with an enigmatic figure called The Milk Man in this Jordan Peele produced film.
Dreamwalker Directed By Luca Schenato, Sinem Vardarli 15:00 • United Kingdom • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED, INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM, GENRE When a shaman embarks on a quest to save his village from extinction, he connects with a scientist from a different time who is also striving to save her civilization.
Eternal Directed By Joshua Jeffrey Miller 17:15 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, NARRATIVE "Eternal" is an allegorical tale about a man who, in his grief, seeks out death and the ability to see his loved one again.
Wall of Sound Directed By Anissa Latham-Brown 11:02 • United States ALABAMA, DOCUMENTARY, WOMEN IN FILM Watch the electrifying and intense journey of the nationally recognized Purple Marching Machine from Miles College—an HBCU in Fairfield, Alabama—as the band prepares for the 2025-2026 season.
Free Joan Little Directed By Yoruba Richen 35:17 • United States DOCUMENTARY, LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM In 1975, Joan Little became the first woman in US history to be acquitted of using deadly force to resist sexual assault. As a Black incarcerated woman in North Carolina who killed her white prison guard who was trying to rape her, Little's murder trial sparked a nationwide discussion on sexual assault.
Award-winning, lifelong environmental activist Dr. Jackie Echols is dedicated to protecting Atlanta’s South River, the largest freshwater system in the state. When planned construction of “Cop City” (the largest police training facility in America) threatens the ecosystem and forest that serves predominately Black communities, activism and politics intersect into a story of environmental defense and grassroots activism. This observational documentary shows how environmental issues affect us all while also serving as a call for immediate action.
Award-winning, lifelong environmental activist Dr. Jackie Echols is dedicated to protecting Atlanta’s South River, the largest freshwater system in the state. When planned construction of “Cop City” (the largest police training facility in America) threatens the ecosystem and forest that serves predominately Black communities, activism and politics intersect into a story of environmental defense and grassroots activism. This observational documentary shows how environmental issues affect us all while also serving as a call for immediate action.
