Sidewalk Film Festival

[1] In 2006, the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival recognized writer/director John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi for their more than two decades of collaboration in independent film, which includes such acclaimed indie classics as The Brother From Another Planet, Passion Fish, Lone Star, and the Sidewalk 2004 Opening Night Film, Silver City.

Sidewalk incorporated in 1999 as Alabama Moving Image Association with founders Kelli McCall Franklin, Wayne Franklin, and Erik Jambor; the festival debuted as Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in the Theatre District of Birmingham, Alabama.

Their education and outreach efforts include a youth board, which creates a short film and judges other teen-made movies submitted to the festival; a Screentalks program, which involves the screening of an independent film and a panel discussion; and the monthly Salon, where local filmmakers give panel discussions or lectures on their craft.

In 2006, SHOUT LGBTQ Film Festival was founded by Jeremy Erdreich, David R. Garrett, Catherine Pfitzer, and Larry Slater.

[4]" In 2017, Sidewalk Film Festival Executive Director Chloe Cook announced plans to open a permanent independent cinema in Birmingham, in the basement of the restored Pizitz Building.

The three festival founders pose with original board president Alan Hunter at a 2015 Sidewalk Film Festival party held at Sloss Furnaces . From left to right: Erik Jambor, Kelli McCall Franklin, Alan Hunter, Wayne Franklin.