Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival 2009

The World Premiere of Alabama Moon, directed by Tim McCanlies (Secondhand Lions), starring Jimmy Bennett (2009’s Star Trek, Evan Almighty, Firewall, Poseidon), Jon Goodman (The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Babe), Clint Howard (Frost/Nixon, Halloween, Cinderella Man), and Uriah Shelton (currently filming Lifted in Birmingham). Beyond the title, Alabama Moon has many connections to the state of Alabama as the film is based on the award winning book, Alabama Moon, by Alabama native and resident, Watt Key, and was produced by Lee Faulkner, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama Moon is a family friendly film, set in the early 80’s. Eleven-year-old Moon Blake (Jimmy Bennett) has spent most of his life hiding out in the forests of Alabama with his father, an anti-government radical who clings to conspiracy theories and trusts no one. Moon’s life suddenly changes when the land they live on is sold to a lawyer just as his father becomes ill and suddenly dies. He has never known any truth but his Pap’s and so he tries to follow his last instructions: make your way to Alaska where "people could still make a living off trapping." Moon quickly finds himself in the path of civilization, when the lawyer, Mr. Wellington (John Goodman), discovers him on his land. Thinking he is doing what is best for the boy, he calls the local authorities. Moon bolts, fearing the very thing he has been hiding from his entire life. Unfortunately, he is captured by the mean-spirited Constable Sanders (Clint Howard), who takes him to a boy’s reform school to become property of the State. Here, Moon meets other boys his age and learns what friendship is all about. However, Moon is determined on getting to Alaska and escapes from the school bringing two of his friends Kit (Uriah Shelton) and Hal (Gabriel Basso) back to the forest to live with him. Moon uses his wilderness survival skills to outwit Constable Sanders and provide food and shelter for him and his friends. Moon writes smoke letters to his Pap, letting him know he is ok. However, Moon begins to question his father's beliefs when Hal leaves and Kit gets gravely ill and is in need of medical attention. As Moon encounters other lifestyles, true friends and true enemies, he adapts and learns to survive in the outside world, and even, perhaps, make his home there.