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.*
Doggozord Directed by Kelsey Norden 4:46 • United States • Southern US Premiere WOMEN IN FILM The Moon has risen early to threaten dog utopia, and Major Walnut has called his team of guard dogs to pilot Doggozord, a giant canine mecha, to fight it off.
Chasing Dreams Directed by Gerald Crummie 7:46 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA Raeann "Rooster" Gibbs is a rising racecar driver from Weaver, Alabama with big dreams. At the age of 12, she is currently competing against adults in 602 and 604 late models.
Sunspark Directed by Danny Bourque 11:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere While scavenging for spare parts, a lonely robot discovers someone who desperately needs his help.
Symphony in the Skies Directed by Nathan Winston Burrell 7:13 • United States ALABAMA, BLACK LENS, TEEN Amid the urban landscape of Birmingham, a 12-year-old filmmaker and birder discovers a different kind of world through his binoculars.
Jamie’s Cosmic Chase Directed by Gabrielle Foret 5:39 • United States • World Premiere ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM Shortly after a rookie zookeeper's shift begins, a baby creature escapes its enclosure and begins to wander around an intergalactic zoo resulting in chaos and comedy.
Creep Directed by Daniela Abarca 2:16 • United States STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM In a library where nothing happens, a kid gets a creepy feeling he's being hunted by a creature of the night.
The Epic of Enkidu Directed by Mike A Smith 9:26 • United States • Southern US Premiere When the catastrophic king Gilgamesh meets the grass-fed Enkidu, things don't go according to the clay tablets. A fractured take on the cuneiform tale, featuring doom, despair, deception, and sheep.
Flick: A Fingerboarding Story Directed by Graham Abney 11:08 • United States • Southern US Premiere BLACK LENS An ambitious entrepreneur reflects on how the fingerboarding community has changed his life and given a space for passionate creatives to express themselves.
The Ottoman Directed by Mike Stamm 12:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere 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.
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.
USA • 1 hour 5 minutes Directed by Jacob Koestler and Michael McDermit
Latin Clowns Evolution chronicles an annual weeklong convention where Latino clowns gather in South Los Angeles. The documentary seamlessly juxtaposes their joyful performances with stories of immigration, sacrifice, and resilience. As they learn new tricks and share deeply personal backstories, these artists remind us that spreading joy and laughter is a radical healing force.
Films appropriate for ages 6+. Come for your kid, stay for the fun.
Blu's Directed By Rajesh PK 09:46 • India • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED, INTERNATIONAL Witnessing her beautiful environment being swallowed up by industrialization, BLU decides to fight for the wildlife, meadows, rivers, and trees before they disappear completely.
Reel Birmingham Directed By Daniel Munoz, Brandon Grant 09:14 • United States ALABAMA, DOCUMENTARY, STUDENT What does it mean to pursue a filmmaking career outside of Hollywood? A portrait of the burgeoning indie film community in Birmingham.
Forever Home Directed By Ashley Wong 03:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere ALABAMA, ANIMATED, 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. (Note: Allusion to peaceful passing.)
Dawn Directed By Gary Telly Jeannot 09:34 • Cameroon ANIMATED, BLACK LENS, INTERNATIONAL In the depths of the Kenyan savannah, Malaïka, a young Masai warrior, comes face to face with himself and learns the true meaning of courage.
Like Father Directed By Jared Callahan 07:26 • United States • Alabama Premiere DOCUMENTARY A poignant look at the work of renowned children's author Richard Scarry as his son carries on the family legacy.
Armadillo Olympics Directed By Bae Allen 10:42 • United States • Alabama Premiere DOCUMENTARY, STUDENT A documentary film about a small town, its people, and an athletic competition for armadillos.
Snow Bear Directed By Aaron Blaise 11:29 • United States • Alabama Premiere ANIMATED 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.
Two Tears Directed By Josefina Pieres 18:37 • United States • Alabama Premiere NARRATIVE, WOMEN IN FILM On the eve of their Nutcracker debut, two young ballerinas stumble upon a mysterious book revealing a dance curse and how to break it.
USA • 1 hour 35 minutes Directed by Bowie Alexander and Matthew Syrett
Tender, urgent, and hopeful, Admission Possible follows seven New York City high school seniors applying to college as first generation students. Guided by their determined and caring college admissions counselor, they grapple with the complex cultural, social, and political factors influencing higher education today. Debates over testing, legacies, and family loyalty muddy the waters of their decisions.
How powerful is childhood imagination? Costa Karlalis’ Frogtown draws us into a world where myth is reality. Set in a small Southern town, this feature reminds us about the art of collective dreaming. In this film, you’ll see complex family dynamics along with a reverence for the mystery of the natural world. Suspend your disbelief and amplify the amphibian!
