Sidewalk Cinema Hosts Oscars Watch Party, Giveaways for 98th Academy Awards

Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema is turning the 98th Academy Awards into a full Birmingham community event tonight, streaming the ceremony across multiple screening rooms and the cinema lobby from 5 to 10 p.m. as part of its annual "Hollywood Awards Watch Party." Admission is free.

The biggest draw beyond the broadcast itself: fill out an Oscar ballot before the show begins and you're in the running for a $1,000 Cinema Membership and a deluxe swag bag. Ballots are available at no charge inside the cinema and must be turned in before the broadcast kicks off Sunday evening. The watch party window runs until 10 p.m., giving attendees five hours to settle in, pick their categories, and watch the results unfold on the big screen.

The bar will be stocked with specialty cocktails and mocktails themed for the awards show throughout the event.

For anyone looking to extend their Oscars immersion beyond tonight, Sidewalk is also running all three categories of Oscar-nominated shorts through March 19. Live Action, Animated, and Documentary shorts from the 2026 nominations are currently on the schedule. Tickets and additional information are available on Sidewalk's website.

The watch party fits naturally into Sidewalk's tradition of making awards-season programming accessible and communal. The cinema has hosted similar events for other ceremonies, including a free Film Independent Spirit Awards watch party in its lobby area that follows the same format: ballot game, bar service, and no required admission.