SIDEWALK 2007: IN CLOSING

Ah, Sidewalk. Over the past few years, this festival has become one of the standout festivals on the circuit, with filmmakers raving over the overall ‘coolness’ that the city of Birmingham offers for that weekend in September. 2007 was no exception.

In this humble critic’s opinion, 2007 was Sidewalk at its best. I will be honest. Last year, I thought the festival was a huge disappointment. The quality of films were done from previous years and I just didn’t have that overall ‘Sidewalk feeling’. I walked out of two films last year, and that was the first time that had happened. This year, however, was the best yet. Each and every film I saw was worthwhile; the short blocks were very entertaining; and the whole feel of the festival had returned. This was the Sidewalk I remember from a couple of years ago. This was the Sidewalk that introduced me to “Dead & Breakfast”, “Zero Day” and “Melvin Goes to Dinner”.

From the opening night film, “The Ten”, to the closing night film, “Weirdsville” – visiting guests and filmmakers always comment on how amazing a venue the Alabama Theatre truly is. After a screening of “American Fork”, actor Hubbel Palmer and I were talking about his thoughts on the festivals, and he said, “This was, by far, the best audience the film has had, and this was absolutely the best venue we’ve seen yet.” You think that’s something? Hubbel is just one of many visiting industry professionals who remark on that very thing. You’ll be hard pressed to find any of the filmmakers not made welcome by both Sidewalk and the city that supports it.

For me, what makes Sidewalk work is how it really is a festival for the people. This festival feels so much more personal than a lot of others do. When I go to the Savannah Film Festival, I feel welcomed, but I still feel like an outsider. When I go to SXSW or the St. Louis International Film Festival, I feel appreciated, but I feel like an outsider. Sidewalk feels like home. Whether you know the person sitting next to you or not – you know them. Everyone at Sidewalk is there to appreciat exciting independent cinema and spread their love of film with the rest of the world.

The saddest part of Sidewalk is always the end. Because, at that exact moment when the awards ceremony comes to a close – that is the longest amount of time we have to wait for next year’s festival. One whole year before we all gather downtown to talk and watch and laugh and cry and run and play and skip and jump and eat and drink and whatever else we want to do. One whole year before the word ‘Sidewalk’ goes from being a noun – to a feeling. 363 days and counting...