www.sidewalkfest.com
The 27th Sidewalk Film Festival kicked off Monday, and more than 200 films are scheduled to play through Sunday.
The festival, presented by Regions Bank includes the much-anticipated showing of the Opening Night film, Stolen Kingdom, sponsored by Gilead Sciences. The documentary delves into the history of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World.
It culminates in the theft of Buzzy, an animatronic valued at nearly half a million dollars. The film is directed by Joshua Bailey who will be in attendance and participate in a post-film Q+A.
The Sidewalk Film Festival is an annual film festival taking place during the last weekend in August in the Theatre District of Birmingham since 1999. The festival typically screens at seven venues located within downtown Birmingham, featuring the restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927.
Another festival venue, Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema, located on the lower level of The Pizitz Building, was opened by Sidewalk, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, in 2019 to bring together Birmingham creatives year-round.
The schedule also highlights two other important documentaries in the lineup: Sidewalk’s Saturday Night Spotlight Film, Salão de Baile (This Is Ballroom) (Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m., Alabama Theatre) and The White House Effect: Inside George H.W. Bush’s White House (Aug. 24, 7 p.m., Alabama Theatre).
Salão de Baile is an upbeat tribute to the Brazilian ballroom scene where LGBTQ+ and non-white people carve out a creative space they might otherwise be denied. The White House Effect is an archival documentary that describes when President George H.W. Bush, who once ran as an environmental candidate, faced an existential dilemma about climate change that reshaped our planet’s future.
In addition to these three documentaries, the lineup includes over 250 other films including narratives, animated film, music videos, episodic videos, and even more documentaries. Sidewalk is proud to announce that over 20% of its lineup is Alabama-related film and nearly 40% of its lineup has a female director or co-director. Sidewalk is also pleased to welcome back alumni with over a quarter of its lineup coming from returning filmmakers.
Friday, August 22 – Opening Night
Opening Night Pre-Party
- When: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Where: 1800 Block of 3rd Avenue North
Stolen Kingdom
- Showtimes: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m
- Where: Alabama Theatre
- What: Delve into the irreverent world of YouTubers, urban explorers, and internet misfits who venture deep into the forbidden zones of Orlando’s most iconic theme parks. Stolen Kingdom is a darkly compelling documentary that uncovers the hidden culture of obsession, nostalgia, and rule-breaking that thrives just beyond the carefully curated magic. Through first-hand footage and jaw-dropping stories, the film peels back the curtain on a world rarely seen by guests—where thrill-seekers, collectors, and fame-chasers push boundaries for access, attention, and artifacts. With sharp humor and a dose of danger, this eye-opening look at the underbelly of fan culture raises big questions about ownership, mythology, and the blurred lines between love and exploitation. After all, bad things really do happen at the happiest place on Earth.
- Tickets: Click here.
Opening Night After Party
- When: 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
- Where: 1800 Block of 3rd Avenue North
See the full lineup at sidewalkfest.com/sched. Premium Single Tickets are now on sale. Day, Weekend, and VIP Passes are also available at sidewalkfest.com/tix.
