The Big Bike Film Night is back – and it’s bigger and better!

Apr 30, 2017
The Big Bike Film Night is back – and it’s bigger and better!

Bike Auckland

A night at the movies, especially for us! That’s the promise of the Big Bike Film Night: a cinematic feast, united by the humble bicycle.

A sold-out success last year, the BBFN is rolling back into Auckland in mid-May. If you were lucky enough to catch last year’s screening, you know what to expect: an exhilarating and inspirational compilation of short films that capture the many ways our wheels move us. Whatever your particular bike angle, it’s catered for. And you’ll be amazed by how involving the stories are simply as stories – about people, just doing their thing on bikes.

And here’s some great news: this year features more screenings and even more delights than ever. Curator Brett Cotter has created a double bill that offers ‘twice the fun of seeing bike stories on the big screen.’

First up is ‘Cycle Chic’, a collection of short films with ‘a world-cinema-on-wheels feel,’ which specifically features ‘films that inspire, encourage and celebrate women who love to bike’. Yep, that’s right: an entire programme of women on wheels! Bloody fantastic. We love it, and we know you will too.

Cycle Chic is a resounding response to widespread enthusiasm expressed last year for more gender balance on the big bike screen, to match the world we all live and bike in.

‘The stories are diverse, real, and touching,’ Brett says. ‘If anything I would say this is a collection for the ‘thinking cyclist’, destined to appeal no matter what your gender.’

Among the treats to look forward to in this beautifully curated 95-minute selection:

A town planner whose big dream is to have a bike lane in her home city (easier said than done – she’s in East Africa); mountain biking in Japan; a couple’s journey across America by bike, where love and adventure come together; women from Melbourne fixated on riding ‘fixies’; and a moving story set in Afghanistan, showing how bikes empower communities.

The second stand-alone feature is the eponymousBig Bike Film Night’. This two-hour selection (which includes a brief interval) is jam-packed with diverse bike stories, and equally riveting. Among the many delights you’ll experience:

a stylish look at London’s bike subcultures; the inspiring story of Georgena Terry who’s been building bike frames for 30 years; the challenge of cycling up the grueling peak of Mont Ventoux; two very different faces of BMX culture; and a compelling home-grown documentary, ‘Muscles and Dreams’, about the building of the West Coast’s Old Ghost Road single-track trail.

Come prepared to be excited and delighted. ‘At the heart of both of these collections,’ says Brett, ‘is showing real people being part of some pretty extraordinary stories. The humble bike is the unifying factor throughout these films and they’ll leave a tire-tread mark across your heart.’ Amen.

Auckland Screenings

How to choose which programme to see? How about both, for twice the thrill? Here are the days and times for the city. Come and say hi at the Bike Auckland table in the foyer before and after each each screening. We’ll be there with bells on!  (Well, stickers, badges, and T-shirts)

  • Sunday 14 May @ The Academy, Lorne St:   6pm Cycle Chic/  8pm Big Bike Film Night
  • Tuesday 16 May @ The Academy, Lorne St:  6pm Cycle Chic/  8pm Big Bike Film Night
  • Thursday 18 May @ The Academy, Lorne St: 6pm Cycle Chic/  8pm Big Bike Film Night

There’s also a one-night Devonport showing:

  • Monday 15 May @ The Vic, Devonport: 6pm Cycle Chic/  8pm Big Bike Film Night

Plus a special visit to Waiheke, with slightly different times:

  • Wednesday 17 May @ Waiheke Cinema: 4.30pm Cycle Chic/  6.30pm Big Bike Film Night

Tickets to each screening are $20 and are available online. You can buy tickets to one or both programmes, for an early show, a late show, a full-on bike-themed night out – or spread your fun across two nights and multiple locations, take your bike on the ferry and make an expedition of it? You choose!

(NB If you purchase tickets online, you automatically go into the draw to win a range of prizes from the BBFN sponsors. Door sales available on the night if not sold out in advance.)

More info:

The Big Bike Film Night Website

BBFN on Facebook

Header photo: last year’s BBFN at the Academy, by Matt Crawford Photography.

 

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Bike Auckland is the non-profit organisation working to improve things for people on bikes. We’re a people-powered movement for a better region. We speak up for you – and the more of us there are, the stronger our voice!

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