28th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival

An eclectic mix of shorts from Alabama.

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.

An eclectic mix of shorts from Alabama.

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.

A selection of short documentary, and narrative films that highlight the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.

Sofia
Directed by Camila de Ilhéus
09:44 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM, FESTIVAL DE CINE
A quick waxing session turns into a nightmare when a Brazilian accidentally gets a brazilian.

Leo Lets It Rain
Directed by Jasmin Prophete
11:20 • United States • Southern US Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS, STUDENT
Leo, a trans man with undiagnosed ADHD, is on his way to win back his ex-girlfriend when his plans are thwarted by a storm, forcing him to slow down and reevaluate.

Dirty Fuzz
Directed By Daniel Chimes
15:00 • Canada, United States • World Premiere
SHOUT, STUDENT
After rookie cop Lurleen impulsively shoots her obnoxious squadmate, she needs to raise $1000 to fund a back alley surgery to remove the bullet. A desperate attempt to shakedown a strip club for money turns into a paradigm shifting experience.

Love Birds
Directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris
27:40 • United States • Alabama Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California's Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.

A selection of short documentary, and narrative films that highlight the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.

Sofia
Directed by Camila de Ilhéus
09:44 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM, FESTIVAL DE CINE
A quick waxing session turns into a nightmare when a Brazilian accidentally gets a brazilian.

Leo Lets It Rain
Directed by Jasmin Prophete
11:20 • United States • Southern US Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS, STUDENT
Leo, a trans man with undiagnosed ADHD, is on his way to win back his ex-girlfriend when his plans are thwarted by a storm, forcing him to slow down and reevaluate.

Dirty Fuzz
Directed By Daniel Chimes
15:00 • Canada, United States • World Premiere
SHOUT, STUDENT
After rookie cop Lurleen impulsively shoots her obnoxious squadmate, she needs to raise $1000 to fund a back alley surgery to remove the bullet. A desperate attempt to shakedown a strip club for money turns into a paradigm shifting experience.

Love Birds
Directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris
27:40 • United States • Alabama Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California's Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.

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.

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.

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.*

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.

Films appropriate and fun for all ages.

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.

Everyone leaves behind a legacy. Here are a few to inspire you.

ERUCTATION
Directed by Victoria Trow
6:49 • USA • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
The world record for loudest female burp is 107.3 decibels. Kaylee wants to beat it.

Houdini II: A Beautiful Day to Die
Directed by Daniel John
17:12 • United Kingdom, United States • Alabama Premiere
BLACK LENS
Reframing the Houdini myth, an African American magician and escape artist claims the name of Harry Houdini and builds a legacy of his own.

Hwy 101 Yard Sale
Directed by Andrew Johnston, Jackson Townsend
9:39 • United States
ALABAMA
Every first weekend in October, along a quiet stretch of highway from Northwest Alabama to Tennessee, one woman exercises Southern hospitality through mouth-wateringly delicious pies as she participates in a 40-mile long open-air market.

Fred’s Basement Bijou
Directed by Michael T Vollmann
14:22 • United States • Southern US Premiere
In 1956, Fred Hermes rescued a colossal 1920s Wurlitzer organ from Detroit's Michigan Theatre. He then spent the next five decades transforming his basement into a fully functioning movie palace.

BUCKSKIN
Directed by Mars Verrone
17:10 • United States • Southern US Premiere
BLACK LENS, WOMEN IN FILM
A portrait of the filmmaker's grandfather, Carroll B. Williams, the first African-American to receive a doctorate in forestry and entomology, the first African-American scientist to be hired by the U.S. Forest Service, and among the first African-Americans to be a part of the environmental science and forestry faculties at both Yale and UC Berkeley.

Submitting Tigers
Directed by Luke Kellerhouse
25:41 • Germany, Ireland, United States • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
After surviving horrific childhood trauma and rising as a professional MMA fighter, Julija Pajic finds unexpected healing, connection, and purpose among the street fighters and orphanages of Tanzania.

Films that recognize Black stories on screen are not limited to one genre, identity, or experience.

Capriccio
Directed By Kiah Clingman
9:27 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, WOMEN IN FILM
Two strangers meet in a cozy bookstore where music and dance form a non-verbal language of expression and ignite an unexpected romance.

Church Hat
Directed By Miceál Og O'Donnell
7:04 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
ANIMATED, 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.

Lemon
Directed By Beth Curry
14:47 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM, NARRATIVE
When her agoraphobic mother dies suddenly, six-year-old Lemon must overcome her conditioned fear and venture outside for the first time. Her journey from fear to bravery becomes a tender exploration of courage, imagination, and human connection.

A Mystical Ornithology
Directed By Jeremy Seifert, Benjamin James Roberts
11:07 • United States
DOCUMENTARY
In this lyrical portrait, ornithologist, poet, and professor Drew Lanham invites you into his South Carolina farm where birdwatching becomes both refuge and revelation. 

God Sleeps On Sundays 
Directed By Naishe Nyamubaya
16:47 • Zimbabwe • Southern U.S. Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, NARRATIVE
When a new preacher arrives to build a church, he clashes with a village's traditional healer in an exploration of the current tension between traditional culture and Western religion in Zimbabwe. 

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.

Spilled Milk
Directed By Jared Leaf
13:04 • United States
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.

A collection of eclectic shorts that may make you cry, laugh or frustrate you. What can we say? That's life.

The Chimney
Directed by Michael McFarland and AP Boland
04:32 • United States
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, ALABAMA
Part of a 48 hour Sidewalk Scramble competition, "The Chimney" asks what lengths one might go to if you want to meet Santa again.

Sofia
Directed by Camila de Ilhéus
09:44 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM, FESTIVAL DE CINE
A quick waxing session turns into a nightmare when a Brazilian accidentally gets a brazilian.

The Burial of the Black Cat
Directed by Maryam Esmaeli
14:58 • Iran • World Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT
An 11-year-old girl meets her sister, who has transitioned and is now her brother. Struggling to accept this, she makes him reenact scenes from their childhood to mend their bond.

I Am The Prize
Directed by Sai Karan Talwar
18:10 • United Kingdom • Southern U.S. Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT
A polarizing self-help figure (Russell Tovey – Plainclothes, The War Between the Land and the Sea), with a carefully constructed identity begins to unravel during the height of a lecture tour.

Cottonmouth
Directed by Ama Anane
14:51 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS
Cottonmouth is a romantic dramedy about a Black woman named Ayo, who's writing her graduate thesis about her namesake, Nana Ayo Forbes, who died on Cottonmouth Plantation. While on a trip to the plantation, she wrestles with the legacy of slavery and her romantic future of falling in love with her White girlfriend.

Tomorrow
Directed by Christian Meola
27:16 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, STUDENT
Eric and Oliver develop an unexpected bond after a hug that lasts longer than usual.

Documentaries about those who have worked and fought to gain, preserve, and practice their rights and freedom.

Sea Song
Directed by An-Phuong Ly
17:58 • USA • Alabama Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM
Finding solace in the shared experience of their youth, the last remaining South Vietnamese naval officers trained by the US during the Vietnam War reconnect with the few people in the world who understand the complexities that shaped them.

Honor Song
Directed by Ryan Begay
19:35 • USA
LIFE & LIBERTY
Celebrating the long history and service of Native Americans in the United States military, veterans of the Southwest share personal stories and perspectives of their military service and their cultural experience.

60 Years of Selma
Directed by Jori Parson
16:04 • USA • Alabama Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY, ALABAMA, BLACK LENS, WOMEN IN FILM
Sixty years after the 1965 Voting Rights Act was signed into law, civil rights activists and historians gather to reflect on the movement in Selma, Alabama, that led to revolutionary change.

The Other Roe
Directed by Wendy Eley Jackson
14:47 • USA • Southern US Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY, BLACK LENS, WOMEN IN FILM
Learn the untold story of attorney Margie Pitts Hames whose Supreme Court victory in Doe v. Bolton - the companion case to Roe v. Wade - reshaped reproductive rights in America.

Projecting Protest
Directed by Thomas Clement
22:07 • USA • Southern US Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY
Over the past decade, activists across the political spectrum have been deploying a new protest tactic: guerrilla light projection. Projection devices have become cheap, powerful, and can be smaller than a toaster. They are also, for the most part, wildly unregulated by American law.

Films from around the world. Please note that many of these films have subtitles.

THE SENTRY
Directed by Jake Wachtel
17:34 • United States • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
When a suave Western agent's mission goes off the rails, he begins an unexpected road trip across Cambodia with a security guard that survives his final mission.

"Tell 'Em" by Terry Blade
Directed by Terry Blade
2:30 • Spain, United States • Southern US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
Down in a gorge where time bends, ancestors meet beneath ancient trees. Their shared rite rises like resistance, built from soil, voice, and bloodline, proof that life holds shape even when broken in this music video by Terry Blade.

Paloma
Directed by Raul Martinez Liera
24:42 • Mexico, United States • Southern US Premiere
FESTIVAL DE CINE, INTERNATIONAL
Two strangers experience the magic of their unexpected connection one night in Mexico City.

Unwanted
Directed by Roman Sinitsyn
3:00 • Russian Federation • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
A police officer arrives on what seems like a routine call, only to discover a furry friend has been let behind without its owner.

Max
Directed by Adrien Boublil
20:07 • France
INTERNATIONAL
Based on real events during World War II, in a sealed room, a brutal psychological duel unfolds between Jean Moulin, the leader of the French Resistance, and Klaus Barbie, the Chief of the Gestapo.

Escudo Invisible (The Invisible Shield)
Directed by Maximilian Barrón
23:52 • Mexico • US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, ALABAMA
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.

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.

Stories of justice and those who pursue it.

That Night
Directed by Hoda Sobhani
11:00 • USA
LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM
In October 2022, Evin Prison in Iran burned. Inside was women's rights activist Neda Naji. This is her story of that night of chaos, fear, and violence.

Correspondence
Directed by Paul K. Oh
5:40 • USA • Alabama Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY
A filmmaker conducts a mediated interview with the man convicted of murdering his grandmother and tries to reconcile the person sitting across from him with the act that shattered his family.

Investigator
Directed by Jennifer Grausman
16:40 • USA • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Amidst the foggy evergreen forests of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, private investigator Leigh Hearon explores the criminal underbelly of a small town and investigates a case of attempted matricide while also examining her own motivations and place in the criminal justice system.

Sites of Memory
Directed by Antonio Tarrell, Castel V Sweet, Michael Fagans
24:20 • USA • Alabama Premiere
BLACK LENS, LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM, ALABAMA
As U.S. history becomes controversial to teach in some states, one group of people comes to terms with our past and present in Sumner, Mississippi and Montgomery, Alabama.

Free Joan Little
Directed by Yoruba Richen
24:20 • USA • Alabama Premiere
BLACK LENS, 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.

Reminders of the planet we all share and the things that affect it.

Discarded
Directed by Jason O'Brien
4:17 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA
An unsettling glimpse at what we cast aside, this quasi-experimental documentary reminds us that every discarded item had a life or moment abruptly left behind, never explained, and never reclaimed.

Constellations of the Sea
Directed by Addie Akina Knoll
12:59 • United States • Southern US Premiere
TEEN, WOMEN IN FILM
A 17-year-old filmmaker joins a Maldives research team to document the growing challenge of protecting endangered whale sharks at the center of a global tourism industry.

Where the River Flows
Directed by Emily Rabbideau
5:38 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
For nearly 30 years, Hana Berres has walked alongside the Cahaba River, teaching, protecting, and fighting for one of Alabama’s most biodiverse waterways.

UNDERMINED
Directed by Lily Huffman
15:26 • United States
ALABAMA, WOMEN IN FILM
A small Alabama town known as Belle Mina fights back against quarry blasting right next door that threaten their air, water, and overall quality of life.

Willie and His Pigs
Directed by Emily Cooper
14:02 • United States • Alabama Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Every nine months, rural Kentucky regenerative farmer Willie Houston brings home a group of piglets. He raises, names, and cares for them. Then, he says goodbye to them. Willie & His Pigs explores the emotional weight of ethically raising animals in this subtle portrait of grief, joy, and bacon.

Invasive Florida
Directed by Stephen DeVries
9:38 • United States • World Premiere
BLACK LENS
Follow wildlife educator and social media star Christian Cave into the wild ecosystems of South Florida to explore the growing threat of invasive species on one of America's most unique natural environments.

A DERAILMENT
Directed by Nathan Truesdell
25:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere
At 8:55pm on February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Told entirely through found footage and news archive, "A DERAILMENT" puts you in the center of disaster.

Shorts to enthuse the palate for those seeking thrills and a few chills.

Tuna Tartare
Directed by Lena Greene
10:31 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, ANIMATED
In a karaoke bar in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, an expired can of tuna fish and a fake Louis Vuitton purse encourage each other to believe in their artistic voices even if the world sees them as trash.

something still
Directed by Ariel S Mahler
18:26 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT
Tom (John Brodsky), a young queer man, returns to the apartment he once shared with his ex-boyfriend, Max (Zane Phillips), to pack up his belongings. Now, standing among the remnants of their life together, Tom must confront the choices that led to the relationship's unraveling and find a way to move forward.

Evergreen
Directed by Luke McCormick Gardiner
12:38 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT
Confined to their decaying apartment, a queer couple grapples with an immaculate conception.

Scissors
Directed by Hannah Alline
12:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, WOMEN IN FILM
A slasher with a grudge meets his match when a group of queer friends on a weekend getaway turns his killing spree into a bloody night he never saw coming.

Cockroach
Directed by Justice Maya Singleton and Liliana Padilla
22:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, SHOUT, BLACK LENS
A Black transgender man plans to exchange sex for top surgery money with an older gay man until his night hook up turns into a hunt for a cockroach who inspires him to open his heart and conquer his fears.

The Bone Grinder
Directed by Danny Rhodes
13:35 • United States
NARRATIVE, SHOUT
Whitman and Jacob, straight and gay best friends, learn about the Bone Grinder, a masked killer who seduces men, blows their minds with amazing love making, and then murders them seven days later. Whitman wants to stop this killer. Jacob, however, knows he can fix him.

Films to remind us that the ordinary can become extraordinary and long-remembered unexpectedly.

Monograph: Ajene Williams
Directed By Matthew Grcic
05:22 • United States
ALABAMA, BLACK LENS
Ajene Williams is a resident artist at Sloss Metal Arts (Sloss Furnaces) in Birmingham, Alabama. He sculpts and welds cold scrap metal into warm, life-like sculptures.

Oh Whale
Directed By Winslow Crane-Murdoch
25:42 • United States • Alabama Premiere
When Paul Linnman arrived in Florence, Oregon, on November 12th, 1970, he had no idea that a seemingly innocuous news story about a dead whale would forever define his career.

From Rodeo to Polo: The First HBCU Polo Team
Directed By Kendi King
18:38 • United States
BLACK LENS, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FLIM
The first Black collegiate polo team at Morehouse College chases national USPA certification as it transforms a rag-tag team of charismatic cowboys into pioneering polo stars. 

Roots & Relics
Directed By Matthew Josiah Avant
22:30 • United States • Southern US Premiere
EPISODIC
Roots & Relics is a documentary series hosted by JD Hart that uncovers extraordinary stories behind everyday heirlooms. In this episode, uncover the mystery behind a man whose last words are recorded in a roughly hewn stone.

A New Inferno 
Directed By Nita Blum, Jonathan Pickett
16:00 • United States • Alabama Premiere
Filmed during the hottest days of Phoenix, Arizona's summer heatwave, "A New Inferno" follows paramedics as they race to save the lives of heatstroke victims using a radical new treatment: ice immersion therapy.

Films to remind us to keep life in perspective.

Reflections
Directed By Stephen DeVries
14:14 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA
While rebuilding a vintage car with his young daughter, Jack begins experiencing unsettling distortions within the familiar walls of his garage. As reality quietly unravels around him, an emotional portrait of family and connection emerges.

The Repetition for Love
Directed By Kyungrok Kim
15:00 • South Korea • U.S. Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT
Iseul is tormented by her inability to finish her latest poem when a mysterious woman appears and asks Iseul to hear and rewrite her story. Slowly, Iseul realizes her guest's story completes her poem.

Gary
Directed By Tim Cofield
06:09 • United States
MUSIC VIDEO
Gary Sinise stars as the title character in this music video of a man who has spent his life fixing things for others. When he discovers his own heart is beyond repair, he embarks on a daring final act of defiance against a world that has forgotten him to ensure a future for those he leaves behind.

Timelessness
Directed By Sasha Timan
14:56 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
After seeking an asylum at the US border with Tijuana, a gifted Russian pianist's journey takes a tragic turn when she is detained in a U.S. processing center for immigrants.

Leica
Directed By Sagi Kahane-Rapport
14:56 • Canada
INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT
When camera pioneer Ernst Leitz's defiance of the Nazi regime is discovered by the Gestapo, his daughter Elsie must navigate a high-stakes battle of the wits with a Gestapo detective to save her father's life.

Pinball, Brooklyn
Directed By Geoffrey Levy
13:15 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
On the eve of his wedding, Esteban returns to a Brooklyn bar that houses an unlikely old friend: a softly glowing spaceship-themed pinball machine, quietly outfitted with a long-forgotten civic AI memory system.

The Ride
Directed By Slava Denisov
15:14 • United States • Alabama Premiere
A ’76 Plymouth (voiced by Ron Perlman) reflects on its journey as it witnesses decades of human life and captures moments of freedom, temptation, and redemption while changing hands from one owner to the next.

Because there really are more things in earth and heaven than you can imagine, enjoy this grab bag of scifi, fantasy, and weird fiction films to satisfy all your genre cravings.

Please and Thank You
Directed by Hal Kirkland
11:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere
MeMe™, a virtual assistant, tries to save her clueless owner from an AI apocalypse simply because he's polite when using voice-enabled technology. If she fails, they'll both be assimilated.

Ultra Juice
Directed by Carl Conway Maguire
3:41 • United States • Alabama Premiere
ALABAMA
A lonely man finds friendship in an unexpected place: his new vape.

Aptitude
Directed by Natasha Mynhier
20:00 • United States • Southern US Premiere
STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
In a near-future society where a high-stakes virtual exam dictates one's future, a desperate student must decide whether to risk everything by cheating or accept a system designed to make her fail.

"Take Me To Your Leader" by My Mom Is Here
Directed by Benjamin Rummans
4:18 • United States
Music video for "Take Me to Your Leader" by My Mom Is Here.

The Humbug
Directed by Cole Paviour
9:09 • United Kingdom • Southern US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
Two elderly women in a care home grapple with magical mint humbugs, setting off an absurd journey through pleasure and peril.

Ape Shit
Directed by Dahlia Jane Kressler
2:57 • United States • Alabama Premiere
STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
When two monkeys on a mission of exploration land on a plant inhabited by dodo birds, the question emerges as to whether apes and birds can live in harmony.

Headphones
Directed by Steven Arriagada
9:13 • Australia • Alabama Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
A lovelorn young man works the late shift at a dead-end fast-food joint alongside his crush when a mysterious voice in his uncle's old Walkman begins whispering exactly what he must do to keep her alive.

Closing Hour
Directed by Tim Smink
8:43 • Netherlands
INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT
A late night visit from cashier Mia's boyfriend as she closes her store leads to an unexpected and frightening confrontation.

Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting
Directed by Alexander Thompson
18:22 • United States • Alabama Premiere
A coming-of-age fable about mothers, daughters, & the beasts they hunt. Starring HEREDITARY's Milly Shapiro and WALKING DEAD's Pollyanna McIntosh.

When the sun goes down, the weird rises. Join us for a celebration of the things that go bump in the night.

Run From It
Directed By Racha Kongsommart
05:08 • Canada • World Premiere
ANIMATED, INTERNATIONAL, STUDENT, WOMEN IN FILM
Two unsuspecting friends tempt fate when they explore a derelict mansion that harbors a dark secret within its depths.

It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead
Directed By John Bell, Dan Bell
08:29 • United States • Alabama Premiere
It’s a not-so-wonderful life for George Bailey when a horde of flesh-eating ghouls comes to town on Christmas Eve. Through the use of traditional rotoscoping and compositing techniques, two classic films have been woven together to create a twisted love letter to the original films.

The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much
Directed By Eric Jackowitz
17:18 • United States • Alabama Premiere
When a blind violinist's fellow musicians are killed one by one, the only witness is her seeing-eye dog in this giallo-inspired, faux-recovered horror film.

"Ye Kou Si Kuo" by Naive New Beaters & Star Feminine Band
Directed By Lola Lefèvre
02:29 • France • Southern U.S. Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, MUSIC VIDEO
Music video for "Ye Kou Si Kuo" by Naive New Beaters and featuring Star Feminine Band.

Dirty Fuzz
Directed By Daniel Chimes
15:00 • Canada, United States • World Premiere
SHOUT, STUDENT
After rookie cop Lurleen impulsively shoots her obnoxious squadmate, she needs to raise $1000 to fund a back alley surgery to remove the bullet. A desperate attempt to shakedown a strip club for money turns into a paradigm shifting experience.

The Knowing
Directed By Marcus January
09:51 • United States
ALABAMA, BLACK LENS
Following a disturbing phone call, a woman becomes entangled in a series of events that challenge her understanding of fate, fear, and survival.

NEEDLE
Directed By Sofie Somoroff
05:11 • United States • U.S. Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
A seamstress tries to make her grandmother's impossibly narrow-waisted heirloom dress fit. After it refuses to be altered, visions of her grandmother encourage her to alter herself instead. 

99 GHOSTS
Directed By Gonzalo Francisco Torrens Thevenet
28:53 • Uruguay • U.S. Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
Sofía discovers dangerous secrets in her new house when she finds recordings of seances hidden in her room. Curious to find out if her new home is actually haunted, Sofía calls up her best friends for an unforgettable girls' night.

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.

Short films to remind us that we are never as isolated as may feel.

The Boy with the Dinosaur Head
Directed by Imran J Khan
9:57 • United States • Alabama Premiere
A troubled first-grader is convinced he's a dinosaur, much to the chagrin of the teacher tasked with bringing him back down to earth. What passes between them, though fragile and brief, is enough to change how both will remember this day.

Leo Lets It Rain
Directed by Jasmin Prophete
11:20 • United States • Southern US Premiere
BLACK LENS, SHOUT, STUDENT
Leo, a trans man with undiagnosed ADHD, is on his way to win back his ex-girlfriend when his plans are thwarted by a storm, forcing him to slow down and reevaluate.

DISC
Directed by Blake Rice
13:56 • United States • Alabama Premiere
A conference hookup turns into something much more awkwardly intimate.

"dirt" by emory
Directed by Julia Fernandez
3:30 • United States • Southern US Premiere
Composed of 300 hand-crafted ceramic tiles, the analogue stop-motion music video for "Dirt" by Emory constructs a fragile universe from dirt itself.

Terrarium
Directed by Morgon Dickerson
10:12 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA
Isolated from the desolation outside, a woman reckons her quiet existence against the forces of nature and ruin.

Mary the Widow
Directed by Ryan Noufer
14:13 • United States • Southern US Premiere
An aging widow begrudgingly goes to a speed-dating event at her daughter. Among a string of dud dates, one gentle stranger lingers in her mind.

Vital
Directed by Amir Zargara
14:10 • Canada, Iran • Alabama Premiere
A mother in Iran considers selling her organs to pay for her daughter's healthcare while a doctor in the United States faces ethical dilemmas to save his daughter in this revealing story of the complexities of organ trade.

I Think About Killing You
Directed by Ran Ran Wang
14:10 • United States • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Team captain Dani is plagued by invasive fantasies of killing her abusive coach. When the coach pushes the team too far, Dani must choose whether or not to act on her fantasies of violence.

Take a glimpse into the future of filmmaking with these teen filmmakers of today.

Love You
Directed By Davy Forrester
02:53 • United States
NARRATIVE
An exploration of teenage female friendship and all the emotional ups and downs that can sometimes lead to fights that include dresses, boys, knives, and flamethrowers.

Time Will Tell
Directed By Peyton Cooper
09:27 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE, WOMEN IN FILM
When two high school classmates are assigned to debate whether love is fate or chance, their partnership quickly blossoms from friendship into romance.

MIME
Directed By Gabri Blankson
06:39 • United States
BLACK LENS, NARRATIVE, WOMEN IN FILM
Sixteen-year-old Bri is on the verge of a significant soccer opportunity when the COVID-19 pandemic forces her into isolation. Trapped in a silent, monochrome world, Bri faces the overwhelming presence of these mimes.

Dualists
Directed By Worthy Culverhouse
14:54 • United States
ALABAMA, NARRATIVE
When two friends are given the lead parts in their school's play about an academy for dualists, they follow their instructor's tradition of "embodying characters" and find their friendship tested and the line between reality and fantasy blurring.

Grow Up
Directed By Dari Justin
08:21 • Australia • Southern U.S. Premiere
INTERNATIONAL, NARRATIVE
When 12-year-old Kai is forced to recognize that his older brother has outgrown their childhood fantasy games, he decides it's time to grow up. But is he ready?

Magnacamp
Directed By Landon Zimmer
05:01 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA, NARRATIVE
A look at a successful camp months after a zombie apocalypse. 

CHAD
Directed By Maria George, Silverr King
08:11 • United States
ALABAMA, NARRATIVE, WOMEN IN FILM
In the current world where AI is taking precedence over thinking and relationships, Izzy finds herself on a self-journey through intense realities. Sidewalk Teen Board 2026 film.

Rocket
Directed By Luke Ashton Beall
04:40 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA, NARRATIVE
A boy attempts to build a model rocket without being discovered by his father.

The Prime Candidate
Directed By Joseph Pickens, Graham Cason
03:30 • United States • U.S. Premiere
ALABAMA, NARRATIVE
A young job candidate participates in an interview where the questions become increasingly concerning. Unemployment may be preferable to what this company has in store.

Dwell
Directed By Luke Ashton Beall
09:57 • United States • World Premiere
ALABAMA, DOCUMENTARY, LIFE & LIBERTY
Dwell Mobile works to resettle refugees in Mobile, Alabama. This documentary sheds light on the experiences of those whom Dwell assists.

No Small Matter
Directed By India Anne Mitchell
05:37 • United States • Alabama Premiere
LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM, DOCUMENTARY
Through the lens of a 15-year-old filmmaker, "No Small Matter" pulls back the curtain on a radical shift: a court designed not to punish, but to provide a final, desperate lifeline.

Instant
Directed By Hudson Hillin
09:59 • United States • Alabama Premiere
NARRATIVE
For teenage photographer Bennett, memories are made to be captured; for free-spirited Grace, they're meant to be lived.

Draupadi
Directed By Rishan Sathiyaa
10:02 • United States
NARRATIVE
A story about forgiveness and religion set in the grassroots Hindu culture of the San Francisco Bay Area, an Indian girl must attend a karayalu for an uncle who wronged her.

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.

Documentaries about the wide world brought home to you.

What’s My Name?
Directed by Yuge Zhou
8:09 • China, United States • World Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Do you keep your name or change your name when immigrating to another country? In this playful exploration of pronunciation, cross-cultural identity, and the nuances of language, learn the real importance of a name and its declaration of ethnicity.

Within Me
Directed by Sherlyn Reyes Zamora
15:21 • United States • Alabama Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM, ALABAMA, LIFE & LIBERTY, STUDENT
"Within Me" explores the adversity and resilience of a Mexican immigrant family in Alabama as each member reflects on how far they've come.

Freedom of the Press
Directed by Pablo Quintero
5:00 • United States
STUDENT
A college professor turns to the printing press to process the weight of political turmoil as he creates prints that invite others to slow down, reflect, and reconnect in an overstimulated digital age.

Rolling Film, Rocking History: Al Maysles Captures the Beatles
Directed by Bart Weiss
10:56 • United States
Al Maysles tells the story of how he shot the Beatles coming to the USA for the first time.

The Day Is Not Lost
Directed by Kay Hannahan
14:50 • Bulgaria • Southern US Premiere
INTERNATIONAL
As the call to prayer echoes throughout a village in Bulgaria's Rhodope mountains, a cold January day becomes a meditation on tradition and transformation high in this quiet observational documentary.

The Theory of Spice
Directed by Gilly Barnes
7:28 • United States • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Where does flavor come from? Journey across India, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala to examine the provenance, potency, history, and mythology of Ginger, Cinnamon, and Cardamom in this artistic documentary.

Zastava Brothers
Directed by Pep Stojanovic
21:55 • United States • Alabama Premiere
While the Yugo may have faded in popularity in the US, it has become a rallying passion for those from the former Yugoslavia where the little-car-that-could remains an integral part of memories and culture.

A variety of documentaries that delve into the diverse lives of the LGBTQ+ communities.

Drag me to Church
Directed by Isabella Sullivan
12:34 • United States • Alabama Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
Worlds collide when a gay pastor in Atlanta, Georgia, bridges the gap between two divided communities by throwing a fabulous drag church service.

Rainbow Rider
Directed by Georgia Krause
25: 41 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
Rainbow Rider follows Shelle Lichti, an outspoken lesbian truck driver hauling freight across the country in her eponymous and iconic rainbow semi-truck.

There’s a Small Hotel
Directed by Michael Grodner
18:53 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
A short documentary about the Brevoort, an old Hollywood apartment building with a notorious past, that has been managed for the last 18 years by former Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro.

Love Birds
Directed by Elliott Kennerson and Angel Morris
27:40 • United States • Alabama Premiere
DOCUMENTARY, SHOUT
In 1972, when married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner discover that a great number of nesting seagull pairs on one of California's Channel Islands are all female, their research on “lesbian seagulls” triggers outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with a growing LGBTQ+ rights movement while also threatening to tear apart their own relationship.

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.

Films to lighten your day and bring a smile to your face.

Loco
Directed By Eddie Mujica
15:57 • United States • Alabama Premiere
At his first therapy session, Rafael Reyes relives the anxious thoughts and overbearing family that boiled over on the night of his 25th birthday. Based on a true story of false thoughts.

The Sisters of Scott County 
Directed By Courtney Hoffman
12:00 • United States • Alabama Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
All Cherry Mary wants is to pass her Commercial Driver's License test and become a trucker, but after her family's criminal enterprise makes the wrong enemies. When the test starts, the trouble begins.

Stop to Stop
Directed By Samantha Massell, Asher Grodman
11:30 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
A frustrated response to a spam political text leads to an unexpected meet-cute.

A Night In
Directed By Eduardo Olmos
15:00 • United States • Alabama Premiere
When an upscale rental is accidentally double booked, two strangers discover unexpected connection during an evening of forced hospitality, psychological games, and emotional vulnerability.

Big Little Love
Directed By Liesa Cole
03:00 • United States
ALABAMA, WOMEN IN FILM
Sometimes a little Love can make a big difference.

UN-DEAD
Directed By Bo Webb
09:56 • United States • Alabama Premiere
A zombie outbreak is ruining Jane's first day at her new job, but she does something desperate and crazy that changes everything in funny and unexpected ways. 

Another Day in the West
Directed By Matthew Sliger
03:18 • United States • Alabama Premiere
The true cycle of the West reveals itself when a cowboy steps up to defend the honor of the woman he loves. 

The Method
Directed By Luke Howe
15:22 • United States • Southern U.S. Premiere
To get out of the doghouse, a desperate husband hires a washed-up actor-turned-con artist to pose as a couples therapist.

Documentaries that remind us all voices deserve to be heard.

From Fields to Flight
Directed By Ipshita Bhattacharyya
11:10 • India
INTERNATIONAL, LIFE & LIBERTY, WOMEN IN FILM
In a world ruled by patriarchy, one woman from India's hinterlands finds the courage to challenge gender norms to achieve her dream of becoming a drone pilot.

Faithful Defenders
Directed By Barbara Jean Hall
17:15 • United States
WOMEN IN FILM
In a challenging and inspirational approach, "Faithful Defenders" suggests that Christianity and reproductive rights can co-exist.

White Nine
Directed By Nilou Safinya
29:15 • United States • Southern US Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Meet Joe, Christos, and Charlie, three teenagers whose lives were forever changed by devastating spinal cord injuries in the 1960s. Bound by survival, friendship, and a shared refusal to be marginalized, they became leaders in Massachusetts’ independent living movement and helped fight for the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Oceanbone
Directed By Lani Cupchoy
09:16 • United States • Alabama Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
Stolen ancestors lie in museum vaults, waiting to return home. "Oceanbone" is a poetic reckoning with history, confronting the colonial theft of Indigenous remains and the urgent fight to bring them back.

HER BABY DIDN'T BLOCK HER JUMP SHOT
Directed By Emily M Lobsenz
25:00 • United States • World Premiere
WOMEN IN FILM
In 1969, high school freshman Jane led her basketball team to a state tournament. In 1970, she scored over 40 points a game. In 1971, when she gives birth, state rules make her ineligible to play. In 1972, with the backing of her coach and friends, she continued to play and began a landmark challenge to a rule that allowed boys involved in a pregnancy to continue playing while refusing the same privilege to girls.