28th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival

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.

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.

JPN • 1 hour 17 minutes
Directed by Yukimitsu Ina

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.

Joi Tribble - Shorts Programming Director

JPN • 1 hour 17 minutes
Directed by Yukimitsu Ina

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.

Joi Tribble - Shorts Programming Director

It’s hard to imagine starting the festival off without some good old-fashioned cartoon fun, right? Sidewalk Film Festival is proud to present this special program for its 14th year in a row! We invite you to be a part of this fond Sidewalk tradition full of wildly splendid cartoon fun, with a colorful selection spanning the decades and some vintage advertisements as well. This nostalgia-filled event is back on the big screen for all ages! *This is a FREE event and SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Registering is strongly recommended to help with the check in process but does not guarantee a seat, and due to the popularity of this event seats can not be saved for folks who have not arrived yet.*

It’s hard to imagine starting the festival off without some good old-fashioned cartoon fun, right? Sidewalk Film Festival is proud to present this special program for its 14th year in a row! We invite you to be a part of this fond Sidewalk tradition full of wildly splendid cartoon fun, with a colorful selection spanning the decades and some vintage advertisements as well. This nostalgia-filled event is back on the big screen for all ages! *This is a FREE event and SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Registering is strongly recommended to help with the check in process but does not guarantee a seat, and due to the popularity of this event seats can not be saved for folks who have not arrived yet.*

Animated film ranging from hand-drawn to CGI and everything in between.

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.

FIRSTBORN
Directed By Olivia G Porrill
09:07 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
A surreal mythology following the journey of a firstborn child.

Sundays
Directed By Ashley Gerst
06:42 • United States • Alabama Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
In this intimate memoir, a daughter navigates the aftermath of loss as she reflects on the weekly rituals she once shared with her father. 

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.

To Have and To Hold
Directed By Julianne Martin
05:09 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Two characters must grapple with the complexities of their relationship and decide whether or not to part ways.

Idle Hands
Directed By Ellie Roberts
06:25 • United States • Alabama Premiere
STUDENT
When Mort, the brains behind Hell's torture, hears the pain he causes, he questions his purpose, but is soon presented with an unrefusable offer.

Deep in the Folds of My Mind
Directed By Mac Muggeo
05:05 • 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.

Dormilón
Directed By Olivia Marie Valdez
09:09 • 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.

Snow Bear
Directed By Aaron Blaise
11:29 • United States • Alabama Premiere
FAMILY
When a lonely bear can't find a friend, he makes one. Completely hand-drawn, "Snow Bear" tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend.

Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II
Directed By Z Cher-Aimé
14:22 • United States
BLACK LENS
While in therapy, Xerxes Hughes recounts his escapades as an amateur superhero and details his first encounter with his depression demon -- a physical manifestation of all his deep-seated insecurities.

JPN • 1 hour 17 minutes
Directed by Yukimitsu Ina

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.

Joi Tribble - Shorts Programming Director

USA • 1 hour 30 minutes
Directed by William David Caballero

After a series of successful short films, director William David Caballero has evolved his storytelling techniques and crafted a unique debut feature that doubles as an ode to his own family. Centered around his own Puerto Rican parents’ struggles with loss and acceptance, this hybrid animated documentary is unlike anything else you will see this year. Deeply personal stories are rarely told with such imagination, and TheyDream is a shining example of creating as an act of healing. 

Brian Ratigan - Features Programmer

Animated films from around the world.

Chip
Directed by Pete Ireland
2:58 • Australia • US Premiere
ANIMATED, DOC, INTERNATIONAL
From the summit of the rock god mountain, through the iconic pop culture milestones of the 70s, there have been two constants: time and Chip Monck. But time waits for no rock god. 

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six
Directed by Yingdan Lai
8:10 • China, United States
INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM
In a rule-bound boarding school, MiaoMiao receives a box of chocolate balls, a rare treat. As she clings to this small treasure, a mix of curiosity, doubt, and quiet rebellion begins to blur the boundaries between order and desire.
 
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.
 
Blessed
Directed by Birute Sodeikaite
7:30 • Canada • Southern US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM
A no-nonsense Buffalo has always seen himself as fearless and ready to take the world, but when his long-awaited dream of fatherhood finally comes true, he is thrown into uncharted territory.
 
Snake Soup
Directed by Zack Demirtshyan
7:00 • Armenia • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
On his way to a battlefield, one soldier retreats into his imagination and intermingles battlefield experiences with more peaceful encounters. 

On Saint Nicholas’ Eve
Directed by Robin Emy Mirel Ivasca
11:00 • Romania • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT
After seeing a man lying in the snow, a boy recalls a Saint Nicholas night spent with his father years before. Playing with his father takes an unexpected turn while his dream toy leaves a bitter aftertaste.

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.

The Nest
Directed by Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette
7:12 • France • Southern US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
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.

Dreamwalker
Directed by Luca Schenato, Sinem Vardarli
15:00 • United Kingdom • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM
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.

Éiru
Directed by Giovanna Ferrari
12:59 • Ireland • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN IN FILM
When her village's well mysteriously dries up, only the smallest child can descend into the belly of the earth to investigate.