While we first heard rumblings about the possible firing of Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival executive director Catherine Pfitzer on Wednesday evening, this post from Wade on Birmingham confirmed it on Saturday morning. Pfitzer had served as the executive director for the organization for approximately two years and had held other positions with the film festival. Wade’s post includes excerpts from the email announcement as well as one from Pfitzer thanking supporters and encouraging them to continue to support the festival. Entries are already being accepted for this year’s edition, scheduled for September 25-27.

The other surprising news this past week was of the shut down of one of Birmingham’s newest magazines, Lipstick, as confirmed on the Media of Birmingham blog. The March issue will be the publication’s last. The entire staff was laid off as of Friday and former editor Tina Hatch reflected on it via her blog.