Sidewalk Cinema

Alabama Moving Image Association

Giving Sidewalk Film Festival a permanent home in the middle of Birmingham's growing film scene.

Birmingham is proudly home to the Sidewalk Film Festival, one of the largest and longest-running independent film festivals in the country. It is repeatedly recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 25 Festivals in the World and by TIME Magazine as one of the Top 10 Festivals for the Rest of Us. Each year, the festival brings over 200 independent films to the city.

Until now, however, Sidewalk has lacked a permanent home, necessitating the use of rented spaces to host any event throughout the year. Additionally, despite Birmingham's vibrant arts community, the lack of an independent cinema prevented smaller films from being shown to local audiences.

To rectify that situation, Davis worked with Sidewalk and the Alabama Moving Image Association to bring a new, independent cinema and film education center to downtown. Housed in the lower level of the historic Pizitz Building, the center houses two, one-hundred seat theatres. The center also includes a comfortable lounge and bar, gallery, office spaces, and a film and media technology education space.

At a glance

Located in Birmingham, AL
11,300 sf
Completed August 2019

Services

Architecture
Interior Design
Furniture Specification
Master Planning
Renovation + Restoration

News

"Sidewalk Cinema at Pizitz hits fundraising milestone, eyes May groundbreaking" - Birmingham Business Journal

AWARDS

Member Honor Award - Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects