Sidewalk Film Festival
The Sidewalk Film Festival (formerly called the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival) is an annual competitive film festival held in downtown Birmingham. It is produced by the Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema, a non-profit educational organization with offices in The Pizitz. The festival's executive director is Chloe Collins. Josh Vasa served as festival manager from 2012 to 2016.
The organization was incorporated in 1998 as the Alabama Moving Image Association by Erik Jambor, Kelly Franklin and Wayne Franklin. Since 2010 the Sidewalk festival has been held in conjunction with the "Birmingham Shout" gay and lesbian film festival.
In addition to the annual festival, Sidewalk programmed "Sidewalk Salon" discussion groups, monthly "Sidewalk Cinematheque" screenings, bi-annual "Sidewalk Scramble" weekend filmmaking competitions, and the "Birmingham Shout" gay and lesbian film festival.
Jambor stepped down as executive director in December, 2006, citing disagreement with the board of directors, which is headed by Alan Hunter. The board indicated that the festival's finances needed to be strengthened through additional corporate sponsors. In January 2007, Catherine Pfitzer was named as Jambor's replacement. Pfitzer had served as the festival's program manager since 2003. She was fired by the board in February 2009. Collins was hired in April 2009.
In 2010 the Birmingham Shout gay and lesbian film festival was moved to the same weekend to expand and complement Sidewalk's programming. Rebecca Pugh was hired on as a full time development and communications manager.
Festivals
References
- Isom, Lanier Scott (September 2007) "Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival 2007: A Cinematic Celebration on the Streets of Birmingham." Portico.
- Kwon, Wade (December 6, 2006) "Sidewalk Shuffle 2" Wade on Birmingham
- Carlton, Bob (December 1, 2006) "Sidewalk film festival founding director resigns." Birmingham News
- Kwon, Wade (April 22, 2009) "Sidewalk hires Chloe Collins as Executive Director" Wade on Birmingham
- Kwon, Wade (March 3, 2010) "The reshuffling of Sidewalk" Wade on Birmingham
External links
- Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival website