The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $200,000 in funds for the Sidewalk Cinema and Film Center.

The $5 million project will include a cinema and film center at the Pizitz. Plans include two screening venues with about 100 seats apiece, two lounges, a bar and concession stand, offices for the Sidewalk staff and a classroom.

“This is exciting having an indie film center in Birmingham. I think city’s contribution is a drop in the bucket, but an important drop in the bucket,” said City Council President Valerie Abbott.

The Council approves funding for the @sidewalkfilm cinema. pic.twitter.com/tNCtwoy6VO — Bham City Council (@citycouncilbham) April 23, 2019

Collectively the space will cover 11,400 square feet of the Pizitz. It will be open year-round, showing independent and foreign films, documentaries, shorts, local films, experimental movies and more. Mini-festivals and screening series are planned for the cinema, focusing on topics that could range from Asian films to sci-fi films to cult classics.

“I had no idea the film industry was what it is in Birmingham. I didn’t realize there were so many film makers who are making independent films are excited about this project,” said District 2 Councilor Hunter Williams.

The film center should be complete by August, officials said. Plans for the cinema and film center have been underway for more than two years, and fundraising started in April 2017.

The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new cinema and film center happened at the end of January. Construction could be completed by August, officials said.

The new cinema and film center will supplement the 20-year-old festival, not replace it. It will be used as one of the venues for screenings during the festival.