Attend the Festival
THE 28TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 24TH – 30TH, 2026 IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM’S HISTORIC THEATRE DISTRICT.
Festival Pass Options
VIP and Weekend Passes will go on sale May 1st, 2026. Day passes go on sale July 1st, 2026. Premium single tickets will go on sale in July (pending schedule release). Pass prices will increase on June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, and August 24th, 2026.
- All Sales Are Final
- No refunds or exchanges will be issued, except in rare cases of program cancellations.
- Lost or Damaged Items
- Lost or misplaced items (such as lanyards or wristbands) will not be replaced. If an item is damaged, bring the physical item to the Central Box Office to exchange it.
- Accessibility Request
- If you require mobility-related accommodations during the Festival, please visit the Central Box Office to request an accessibility wristband from a staff member or volunteer. This wristband grants early access to screening venues and access to our ADA shuttle service.
- VIP Lanyards
- VIP lanyards are non-transferable.
- Venue Entry Order
- 1. Premium Single Tickets and Accessibility Wristbands 2. Lanyard Holders 3. Weekend & Day Passes 4. General Admission ticket holders
- Premium Single Tickets
- Premium Single Tickets are the only product that guarantees seating for a specific film, provided the ticket holder is in line at least 15 minutes before the screening. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of the seat.
- Other Pass Seating
- All other pass types (General Admission Single Tickets, Day Passes, Weekend Passes, and VIP Lanyards) do not guarantee seating. Early arrival is strongly recommended for high-interest screenings.
- General Accessibility Info
- Sidewalk is committed to creating experiences that are accessible to all artists, audiences, staff, and volunteers. Please review the information below and let us know of any questions or concerns by messaging us at sidewalk [at] sidewalkfest.com To contact our Accessibility Coordinator in advance of the Festival, please send an email to accessibility [at] sidewalkfest.com To contact our Accessibility Coordinator while on-site, please call or text us or visit the Central Box Office, located in The Gallery at The Pizitz (corner of 2nd Ave. N. and 19th St.) and request the Accessibility Coordinator’s contact card.
- Mobility & Transport
- If you’d like mobility-related accommodations while at the Festival, please visit the Central Box Office and request your accessibility wristband from a box office staffer or volunteer. Our accessibility wristbands help our volunteer staff at each venue better meet your needs. Wearing our accessibility wristband will provide you with early access to screening venues as well as access to our ADA shuttle service.
- Parking
- There are no dedicated parking lots or garages for the Sidewalk Film Festival, so accessible parking space availability will vary throughout the Festival footprint, on city streets, in private and city-owned lots and garages.
2026 Festival VIP Pass
$275.00
All Attendees
- ✓Opening Night film at The Alabama Theatre
- ✓Opening Night After-Party with complimentary beverages for VIPs
- ✓All Saturday films including the Saturday Spotlight Film
- ✓Entry to the Saturday Night Party with complimentary beverages for VIPs (must be 18+ to attend)
- ✓All Sunday films, including Closing Night Film
- ✓Access to VIP lounge with refreshments and complimentary beer and wine
- ✓Sidewalk Tote Bag
- ✓Sidewalk Commemorative Program
- ✓Early Access Seating for Film Screenings
- ✓Exclusive VIP discounted tickets to select Festival Week special events
The VIP Pass provides you with top-tier access to the Sidewalk Film Festival – including access to Festival parties, first (or early) access to all Festival weekend films (VIP Pass holders are granted entrance first, alongside premium single ticket holders, followed by weekend pass holders, day pass holders and finally general admission ticket holders), the VIP Lounge and special perks throughout the weekend.
Opening Night Film + Party
TBA
- ✓Access to the Opening Night Film on Friday, August 28th at the Alabama Theatre
- ✓Access to the Opening Night After Party
Sidewalk Saturday Party Pass
TBA
- ✓Access to the Saturday Night Party