USA • 1 hour 33 minutes Directed by Rachel Feldman
When Lilly Ledbetter discovered that she was being paid much less than male co-workers doing the same job at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama, she sued, taking the case all the way to to the US Supreme Court. Patricia Clarkson portrays Lilly in this 2024 film, showing the personal risks and emotional costs of that fight.
Tara Hulen - Screening Committee
Joining us for a post-screening Q&A will be: Vickie Saxon, Jon Goldfarb, Lanier Isom. Moderated by Katie Rogers.
USA • 1 hour 33 minutes Directed by Rachel Feldman
When Lilly Ledbetter discovered that she was being paid much less than male co-workers doing the same job at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama, she sued, taking the case all the way to to the US Supreme Court. Patricia Clarkson portrays Lilly in this 2024 film, showing the personal risks and emotional costs of that fight.
Tara Hulen - Screening Committee
Joining us for a post-screening Q&A will be: Vickie Saxon, Jon Goldfarb, Lanier Isom. Moderated by Katie Rogers.
Within Me Directed By Sherlyn Reyes Zamora 15:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED, DOCUMENTARY, LIFE & LIBERTY, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM "Within Me" explores the adversity and resilience of a Mexican immigrant family in Alabama as each member reflects on how far they've come.
Memory Work Directed By Jada Brielle Ceaser 03:21 • United States ALABAMA, BLACK LENS, DOCUMENTARY, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM VHS collector Justin Cottingham doesn't just preserve media; he keeps memories alive through his one-of-a-kind hobby.
Mr Jesus Directed By Emily Best 15:38 • United States ALABAMA, GENRE,, WOMEN IN FILM A down on his luck actor wakes up one morning to discover his image has been stolen to make a Gen AI Jesus, and now everyone thinks he's the second coming.
Terrarium Directed By Morgon Dickerson 10:12 • United States ALABAMA, NARRATIVE Isolated from the desolation outside, a woman reckons her quiet existence against the forces of nature and ruin.
Man and Mattress Directed By Andrew Reisfeld 23:35 • United States ALABAMA, NARRATIVE A messy loser is forced to battle his outspoken mattress after refusing to clean his room.
Escudo Invisible (The Invisible Shield) Directed By Maximilian Barrón 23:32 • Mexico ALABAMA, NARRATIVE When Mexico City locals learn they're being evicted due to tourism pressures, they decide to reverse the American-led gentrification by staging a kidnapping. But when their plans go awry, the whole thing heads rapidly towards comedic disaster.
Within Me Directed By Sherlyn Reyes Zamora 15:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED, DOCUMENTARY, LIFE & LIBERTY, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM "Within Me" explores the adversity and resilience of a Mexican immigrant family in Alabama as each member reflects on how far they've come.
Memory Work Directed By Jada Brielle Ceaser 03:21 • United States ALABAMA, BLACK LENS, DOCUMENTARY, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM VHS collector Justin Cottingham doesn't just preserve media; he keeps memories alive through his one-of-a-kind hobby.
Mr Jesus Directed By Emily Best 15:38 • United States ALABAMA, GENRE,, WOMEN IN FILM A down on his luck actor wakes up one morning to discover his image has been stolen to make a Gen AI Jesus, and now everyone thinks he's the second coming.
Terrarium Directed By Morgon Dickerson 10:12 • United States ALABAMA, NARRATIVE Isolated from the desolation outside, a woman reckons her quiet existence against the forces of nature and ruin.
Man and Mattress Directed By Andrew Reisfeld 23:35 • United States ALABAMA, NARRATIVE A messy loser is forced to battle his outspoken mattress after refusing to clean his room.
Escudo Invisible (The Invisible Shield) Directed By Maximilian Barrón 23:32 • Mexico ALABAMA, NARRATIVE When Mexico City locals learn they're being evicted due to tourism pressures, they decide to reverse the American-led gentrification by staging a kidnapping. But when their plans go awry, the whole thing heads rapidly towards comedic disaster.
Warriors reveals the story of Mobile’s 2009 Davidson High School football team which featured the first high school duo drafted by the same NFL team, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. The reminiscences of the players, coaches, and family members of this dynamic team overlap to reveal the combined pressures of young athletes doing everything to follow their NFL dreams.
Jessica Chriesman - Director of Education and Outreach
Warriors reveals the story of Mobile’s 2009 Davidson High School football team which featured the first high school duo drafted by the same NFL team, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. The reminiscences of the players, coaches, and family members of this dynamic team overlap to reveal the combined pressures of young athletes doing everything to follow their NFL dreams.
Jessica Chriesman - Director of Education and Outreach
USA • 44 minutes Directed by Frederick DeShon Murphy
Film director, Sidewalk alum and mental health therapist Frederick DeShon Murphy brings together families of both the enslavers and enslaved connected to the Forks of Cypress plantation in Florence, AL, to share their deeply personal histories and to create an opportunity for community and reconciliation.
Warriors reveals the story of Mobile’s 2009 Davidson High School football team which featured the first high school duo drafted by the same NFL team, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. The reminiscences of the players, coaches, and family members of this dynamic team overlap to reveal the combined pressures of young athletes doing everything to follow their NFL dreams.
Jessica Chriesman - Director of Education and Outreach
USA • 45 minutes Directed by Brian "B+" Cross and Eric Coleman
As a means to reframe outdated half-truths, this vibrant narrative illustrates a new chapter of Birmingham’s legacy. This story aims to linger beyond our stained reputation by highlighting the people and places that embody the essence of what makes this city “Magic.”
Ariel Gary - Screening Committee USA • 46 minutes Directed by Michele Forman Birmingham's Front Lawn explores the creation of Railroad Park in the heart of Downtown Birmingham. Watch as the park, which has become an integral part of life downtown, transforms from unassuming acreage to a lush urban green space and hear from the park's champions who turned their dream into a reality in order to uplift Birmingham.
Films that highlight the variety of Alabama filmmaker skills.
Picklish Directed by Jori Parson, Clea Collins 9:39 • United States • World Premiere ALABAMA, BLACK LENS, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM Upon the rapid rise of Pickleball, three Alabama teens decide to fight back.
Job Search Directed by Lewis Bruce 4:17 • United States • World Premiere ALABAMA A new job candidate becomes unnerved when an interview becomes too personal. Sidewalk 48-hour film Scramble winner.
Growing Up in the 4th Dimension Directed by Dylane Thomas Hurd 23:14 • United States ALABAMA, BLACK LENS A recent college graduate reflects on the passage of time and the existential crisis it leads to.
Scrambled in Space Directed by Lih Cunha Rohleder 2:50 • United States • World Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM The seemingly innocent act of fixing an egg for breakfast launches into an unexpected space journey. Assisted by Professor John Hill and completed over a 48 hour period.
"Bleeds Through" by Noah Praise God Directed by Julian Clark 3:46 • United States Music Video for "Bleeds Through" by Noah Praise God.
A Shot in the Dark Directed by Grantland Thomas Earle, Regan Arnett 6:26 • United States ALABAMA A young detective unravels the mystery surrounding his best friend's death as he falls deeper into a web of intrigue and adultery. Winner of the Sidewalk Jingle Scramble 48-hour filmmaking competition.
Cause of Death Directed by Benjamin Johnson 2:15 • United States • World Premiere ALABAMA When technology allows coroners to relive the last moments of a person's life rather than following physical evidence, what crimes might be covered up?
Mr Jesus Directed by Emily Best 15:38 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, WOMEN IN FILM A down on his luck actor wakes up one morning to discover his image has been stolen to make a Gen AI Jesus, and now everyone thinks he's the second coming.
Man and Mattress Directed by Andrew Reisfeld 23:35 • United States • Southern US Premiere ALABAMA A messy loser is forced to battle his outspoken mattress after refusing to clean his room.
USA • 1 hour 58 minutes Directed by Dallas Richard Hallam
Set in a town that could be anywhere, USA, “Interaction” follows a woman who works as an independent housekeeper. In addition to cleaning houses, she has a passion for spying on her clients, eventually coming in contact with someone who is equally as depraved as her. Directed by Dallas Richard Hallam, who grew up in Birmingham, “Interaction" is a very well made psychological suspense horror film that you will not forget, for better or for worse.
Learn something new about Alabama the Beautiful in these docs by Alabamians.
The Mayor of Rasslin' Directed By Layla Khan-Hickman 05:32 • United States ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM In a small Alabama town, "The Mayor of Rasslin'" follows the life of a beloved mayor and pro-wrestler who fights for his community -- both in the ring and out of it.
Are You Listening? Poetry in the Magic City Directed By Juliana Eberhardt, Sophie Estrada, Amelia Velaski 11:33 • United States STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM Poets Ashley M. Jones and Halley Cotton spark a poetry renaissance in Birmingham, Alabama. Now, poets of all ages and levels of experience are writing, reciting, and inspiring with their artful use of language.
HYPERSCALED Directed By Maya Estrera 19:28 • United States ENVIRONMENTAL, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM Focused on Alabama's "Project Marvel," this documentary unearths the real world cost of AI as residents fight to get answers about the costly impacts of proposed datacenters.
Final Press Directed By John Haley 10:45 • United States • Alabama Premiere Workers at The Minnesota Star Tribune complete the last run of the newspaper's Heritage printing plant bringing an end to 150 years of printing the paper in Minnesota.
Monograph: David Brower Directed By Christopher E. Holmes 06:50 • United States Artist David Brower reflects on his career from photographer to award-winning filmmaker and the transition from commercial work to multi-disciplinary art that feeds the soul.
Memory Work Directed By Jada Brielle Ceaser 03:21 • United States BLACK LENS, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM VHS collector Justin Cottingham doesn't just preserve media; he keeps memories alive through his one-of-a-kind hobby.
Ādi Directed By Sukanya Subramaniyan 11:06 • India • U.S. Premiere WOMEN IN FILM "Ādi" (Sanskrit for "beginning" or "origin) captures the origin of the cross-cultural musical group Vishnu, Davis, & Haleigh as they discover new friendships and new sounds together.
The Chukker: Nation of Misfits Directed By Nate Billings, Charlotte Gale 08:35 • United States STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM The Chukker: Nation of Misfits is a short documentary that tells the story of the famed Tuscaloosa establishment, The Chukker, from its conception in 1956 to the building's condemnation in 2007.
Wall of Sound Directed By Anissa Latham-Brown 11:02 • United States BLACK LENS, 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.
Filmed right here in Birmingham, Last Shot follows 12-year-old basketball player Caden Isaacs as he navigates an unexpected and sudden tragedy. Forced to move to a different city to live with his previously absent, workaholic mother, Caden learns that his actions have consequences as he tries to fit in with a new basketball team while Lexi juggles family and work responsibilities.
FRA • 1 hour 11 minutes Directed by Jean-Jacques Cunnac
A lost New York artist visits Selma, Alabama searching for himself and inspiration. He explains his experiences, explorations, and the history to his son while he visits the town for the Jubilee highlighting the contrasts of the city’s past and history to current daily life.
A story about what freedom could look like--beyond the vote. 145 relational organizers mobilize millions of Black voters in Eastern North Carolina, reclaiming "woke" as a call to action to build lasting community power.
Embie, an aspiring concert photographer, embarks on a tour with an intergalactic band that challenges his own perceptions of success and responsibility. An animated micro-feature five years in the making, Trevor Mastro has independently crafted and produced a personal, one-of-a-kind psychedelic experience (with an excellent soundtrack) that you are unlikely to forget.
