Sidewalk Film Festival is produced by the Alabama Moving Image Association, a federally recognized 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, encourage and support filmgoers, the city of Birmingham and the filmmaking community. In addition to hosting the annual film festival, we host monthly networking and educational events, a monthly documentary series, short film and screenwriting competitions, manage a youth board and a variety of other year-round programs.
Tickets sales to our events cover approximately 1/3 of our annual operating cash budget, so we depend on corporate sponsors, grant-making organizations and individuals like you to survive. if you’d like to know more about supporting Sidewalk, please contact us at sidewalk@sidewalkfest.com.
Using Sched.org as our primary scheduling tool, we are happy to offer four different ways to view this year’s lineup. By hovering your cursor over the "Schedule" tab below, you can take your pick of a Simple, Expanded, Grid, or By Venue view.
Step Documetary Director: Amanda Lipitz Run Time: 83 Minutes USA
In this stirring, crowd-pleasing documentary, three high school senior girls at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women find power in the sisterhood of their step team, and face heavy odds as they prepare to graduate and apply to college. Introverted academic high-achiever Cori faces guilt as she applies to schools well beyond her family’s limited economic means. Tayla’s loving but ever-watchful single mom takes an active role in helping her daughter succeed. And Blessin is a star in choreography but has struggled academically. As a team of supportive adults, from their new step coach to their indefatigable college advisor, helps each girl grow, they and their teammates prepare for the year-end regional step competition. They’ve been planning for it for years, and nothing less than first place will satisfy. Step mixes the excitement of an inspirational underdog sports story with a complex and emotional look at a trio of blackwomen determined to make their mark in a society that often suggests it has no place for them. Sidewalk is proud to showcase Step as our 2017 Opening Night film.
- Corey Craft
Opening Night Friday, August 25th Alabama Theatre
**Lineup for Opening Night starts at 5:30 PM on Friday, August 25th, and doors open at 6:30 PM. VIP Pass holders must be inside the Alabama Theatre or in line by 7:30 PM to guarantee your seat. We will begin selling standby tickets at that time. Any pass holders not in line will have to get at the end of the standby line (though they won't have to buy a second ticket if they reach the front).**
