Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival September 22, 2006

The 8th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham, is set to take place September 22-24. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

With eight venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.

In 2005, Sidewalk was honored to recognize John C. Reilly with the inaugural Spirit of Sidewalk award, for his amazing body of work. Other past attendees of the festival include: Peter Gilbert (HOOP DREAMS), Amber Benson (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), Dash Mihok (THE THIN RED LINE, ROMEO + JULIET), Dan Myrick (THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT), Vincent Kartheiser (ER, ANGEL), Chris Gore (FilmThreat.com), Daniel Wallace (Big Fish), Gill Holland (HURRICANE STREETS), Adrian Grenier (HBO’s ENTOURAGE), Louise Fletcher (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUKOO'S NEST), David Keith (AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMEN), Chris Mulkey (TWIN PEAKS) and many more.

From the Filmmakers’ Reception and the Filmmakers’ Retreat to a myriad of breakfasts, field trips, parties and galas, Sidewalk connects filmmakers. The atmosphere at Sidewalk is electric with creativity and collaboration as filmmakers and film-lovers mix and mingle between screenings, participate in panel discussions, or simply enjoy a brew at the new Sidewalk Music Café @ Speakeasy 1920.

Official Website: http://www.sidewalkfest.com/2006/about.html