Festival Tickets
The 28th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival will take place August 24th – 30th, 2026 in Downtown Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District.
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.
VIP Pass
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.
Weekend Pass
The Weekend Pass provides you with access to the Sidewalk Film Festival – including access to all Festival weekend films (remember, 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) and the Opening Night After Party.
Day Pass
The Day Pass provides you access to all the films on your chosen day of the Festival (Saturday or Sunday). Remember, 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. Day Passes go on sale on July 1st.
Opening Night Film + Party
The Opening Night Film + Party pass provides you with access to the Opening Night Film on Friday, August 28th at the Alabama Theatre and the Opening Night After Party.
Sidewalk Saturday Party Pass
The Saturday Night Party pass provides you with access to the Saturday Night Party.
Single Tickets
Join us for films highlighting our specialty programming tracks: Alabama Filmmakers, Life + Liberty Civil and Human Rights Films, SHOUT LGBTQ+ Films, and Black Lens.
Spotlight nights will be undergoing some changes for 2026 – stay tuned for updated information and on sale dates!
A limited number of premium single tickets are sold for each film block. These tickets guarantee first access to that particular film or shorts block. You must be in line at the appropriate venue at least 30 minutes before the listed showtime to ensure early access. Failure to arrive by the film start time may result in forfeiture of your seat. All remaining seats are reserved for our Pass holders on a first-come, first-served basis (VIP, then Weekend, then Day).
General Admission Tickets are ONLY SOLD DURING FESTIVAL WEEKEND at our festival box offices. These tickets are NOT AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE OR ONLINE. These tickets can be used for any film Festival weekend (Saturday and Sunday) where seating is available. These ticket holders are only granted access to screening venues after all VIP pass, Premium Single Ticket, Weekend pass and Day pass holders have been seated.
Box Office & Venue Policies
- ✦All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges will be issued, except in rare cases of program cancellations.
- ✦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: 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 are non-transferable.
- Venue entry order is as follows:1Premium Single Tickets and Accessibility Wristbands2Lanyard Holders3Weekend & Day Passes4General Admission ticket holders
- ✦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.
- ✦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.
- ✦Schedule and filmmaker appearances are subject to change.
- ✦No outside food or drink is permitted in any Sidewalk Film Festival screening venue.
- ✦Recording devices are not allowed without official Sidewalk-issued media credentials.
- ✦Content warning: Most independent films shown at the festival are unrated. Viewer discretion is advised.
- ✦Code of Conduct: Sidewalk Film Festival is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all attendees. Harassment or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.