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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
