Join award-winning animator Bill Plympton as he discusses animation and reviews his long career. This event will be a specially ticketed event and include a Q+A, signing, and photo opportunity.
Celebrate the imagination, artistry, and innovation of animated filmmaking!
Join us on Thursday, August 27 for the Animated Film Spotlight Happy Hour. Connect with animators, filmmakers, and fellow festival fans as we toast the creativity and craftsmanship behind this year's outstanding animated films.
From hand-drawn to stop-motion to cutting-edge digital animation, raise a glass to the artists bringing unforgettable stories to life.
Thursday August 27, 2026 5:00pm - 5:00pm CDT Sidewalk Cinema Bar1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
A selection of animated shorts from around the world.
Dormilón Directed by Olivia Marie Valdez 9:09 • United States • Alabama Premiere WOMEN IN FILM In a quest to become the performer of his dreams, Dormilón, a starry-eyed and middle-aged janitor living in an abandoned theater, must confront his nightmares face-to-face.
Deep in the Folds of My Mind Directed by Mac Muggeo 5:05 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM When a peculiar man's nightmares begin to breach his waking life, he must find a way to quell them or risk losing his mind for good.
Living with a Visionary Directed by Stephen P. Neary 14:58 • United States • Alabama Premiere Based on John Matthias's memoir, "Living with a Visionary" is a soulful, bittersweet reflection on John's fifty-year marriage to Diana, an art curator grappling with Parkinson's.
The Ottoman Directed by Mike Stamm 12:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere FAMILY The Ottoman, a hotshot mechanic and amateur robot gladiator, is looking forward to proving himself in the arena. But when his obsession with winning endangers the lives of his family, the Ottoman must face harsh lessons about what victory truly requires.
Forever Home Directed by Ashley Wong 3:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, FAMILY, WOMEN IN FILM Benson, the three-legged mastiff, lives alone in a quiet house. He spends his days content to watch the world pass by until one day a mysterious dog shows up at his doorstep, followed by many more.
Blessed Directed by Birute Sodeikaite 7:30 • Canada • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM A tough, no-nonsense Buffalo has always seen himself as strong, fearless, and ready to take the world, but when his long-awaited dream of fatherhood finally comes true, he is thrown into uncharted territory.
The Nest Directed by Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette 7:12 • France • Southern US Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM, STUDENT A shy young luthier, Aurore returns to work in the family's prestigious workshop. As she reunites with her beloved mother, she uncovers a monstrous family secret.
A Sparrow’s Song Directed by Tobias Eckerlin 9:10 • Germany • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT Inspired by a true story, a widowed World War II air raid warden struggles to overcome grief and rediscover joy until a tiny bird enters her life.
113 Words for You Today Directed by Bo Qing Tang, Lan Zeng 12:31 • China, Taiwan, United States • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM A team of workers is sent to planet Gliese 12b to build a gravitational portal. To conserve energy for survival on the frozen planet, each worker is allowed to speak only 138 words per day.
A selection of animated shorts from around the world.
Dormilón Directed by Olivia Marie Valdez 9:09 • United States • Alabama Premiere WOMEN IN FILM In a quest to become the performer of his dreams, Dormilón, a starry-eyed and middle-aged janitor living in an abandoned theater, must confront his nightmares face-to-face.
Deep in the Folds of My Mind Directed by Mac Muggeo 5:05 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM When a peculiar man's nightmares begin to breach his waking life, he must find a way to quell them or risk losing his mind for good.
Living with a Visionary Directed by Stephen P. Neary 14:58 • United States • Alabama Premiere Based on John Matthias's memoir, "Living with a Visionary" is a soulful, bittersweet reflection on John's fifty-year marriage to Diana, an art curator grappling with Parkinson's.
The Ottoman Directed by Mike Stamm 12:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere FAMILY The Ottoman, a hotshot mechanic and amateur robot gladiator, is looking forward to proving himself in the arena. But when his obsession with winning endangers the lives of his family, the Ottoman must face harsh lessons about what victory truly requires.
Forever Home Directed by Ashley Wong 3:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, FAMILY, WOMEN IN FILM Benson, the three-legged mastiff, lives alone in a quiet house. He spends his days content to watch the world pass by until one day a mysterious dog shows up at his doorstep, followed by many more.
Blessed Directed by Birute Sodeikaite 7:30 • Canada • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM A tough, no-nonsense Buffalo has always seen himself as strong, fearless, and ready to take the world, but when his long-awaited dream of fatherhood finally comes true, he is thrown into uncharted territory.
The Nest Directed by Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette 7:12 • France • Southern US Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM, STUDENT A shy young luthier, Aurore returns to work in the family's prestigious workshop. As she reunites with her beloved mother, she uncovers a monstrous family secret.
A Sparrow’s Song Directed by Tobias Eckerlin 9:10 • Germany • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT Inspired by a true story, a widowed World War II air raid warden struggles to overcome grief and rediscover joy until a tiny bird enters her life.
113 Words for You Today Directed by Bo Qing Tang, Lan Zeng 12:31 • China, Taiwan, United States • Alabama Premiere INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM A team of workers is sent to planet Gliese 12b to build a gravitational portal. To conserve energy for survival on the frozen planet, each worker is allowed to speak only 138 words per day.
The debut feature from Yukimitsu Ina, Cocoon combines the gracefulness of Miyazaki animation with the emotional impact of Grave of the Fireflies. War rages in Japan, and even children can't escape it. When friends San and Mayu are forced into a war zone, their loyalties to one another are tested.
The debut feature from Yukimitsu Ina, Cocoon combines the gracefulness of Miyazaki animation with the emotional impact of Grave of the Fireflies. War rages in Japan, and even children can't escape it. When friends San and Mayu are forced into a war zone, their loyalties to one another are tested.
