Special Fundraising Events

As a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Sidewalk is made possible each year in part because of our annual fundraising events, which offer attendees a chance to kick back and have a blast while also supporting their favorite film festival. Proceeds from these events directly benefit not just the festival itself but also Sidewalk’s year-round educational programs including Book + Film Club, Beyond the Screen Media Literacy program, Sidewrite Screenplay Competition, Sidewalk Scramble, Youth Board, panels, masterclasses, workshops, and other educational programming.

The Bad Movie Marathon is one of our most popular annual challenges! Viewers and fundraisers support our operations by sponsoring participants to watch hours of some of the worst films ever made. Directly support this campaign on our fundraising page.

Our 15th Annual Salsa Showdown will be held this year on May 9th, 2026, at Cahaba Brewing Company.

Eat all the chips and dip you can from local restaurants and vendors, then cast your ballots to crown the next champion! Admission price includes unlimited samples at each vendor’s station, a ballot for casting an Audience Choice vote, kids’ activities, live entertainment, and the (in)famous Hot Pepper Eating Contest with a cash prize.

This year’s Salsa Showdown is in collaboration with Cahaba’s Annual Mother’s Day Market. Be there for an afternoon filled with local shopping, live music, handcrafted cocktails, and plenty of cold craft beer.

Tickets: $20 in advance * $25 at the event * Kids 5 and under are free!

Want to compete to see if you have the best salsa, quac, queso, or specialty dip in town? Join the following restaurants and sign up now! Sombrero Salsa, Condado Tacos, Tony’s Tejas Salsa, Rojo Birmingham, La Paz Restaurant & Catering, T’s Great Salsa, Southern Brothers Pork Skins

Our 17th Annual $10k Party will be held on Friday, November 6th.

The legendary Sidewalk $10K Party returns for its sixteenth year! This high-stakes soirée offers lots of chances to win—including the $10,000 grand prize! Grab yourself a ticket for $100 and get one entry for the $10,000 drawing (1 in 300 odds). You do not have to be present to win.

Sidewalk is made possible each year in part because of our annual fundraising events. These events offer attendees a chance to kick back and have a blast while also supporting their favorite film festival. Proceeds from these events directly benefit not just the festival itself but also Sidewalk’s year-round educational programs.

Ticket Options: - $10K Ticket – This $100 ticket includes admission for you plus one guest and one entry for the $10,000 drawing (1 in 300 odds). - Sidewalk Superfan Ticket – This $75 ticket includes admission for you plus one guest and one entry for the Sidewalk Superfan package (1 in 75 odds), including 2 VIP passes with 2 tickets each night to our Spotlight Films during the week, exclusive invitation to filmmaker happy hours, 10 Sidewalk Cinema Tickets, $50 Festival merchandise credit, 2 nights in our Official Sidewalk Hotel, and exclusive golf cart access. - Wine Raffle Pull – This $25 ticket includes admission for one and one entry in the wine pull. Each ticket will allow you to choose a wrapped bottle of wine to be unwrapped on stage. One of the bottles will be an exceptionally valuable bottle. Sponsored by Vineyard Brands. - BINGO Book – Increase your odds of winning 10K by playing Bingo! During the event, eight games will be played with the winning bingo cards added to the drawdown closer and closer to the final 10K ticket drawing.

Silent Auction: Our Silent Auction will open in October 2026!