In its 10th year, The Big Bike Film Night will celebrate cycling in all its glorious shapes and forms at Avoca Beach Theatre on Friday, August 16, with a series short films devised and designed for the two-wheel devotee.
From its humble beginnings in 2015, the Big Bike Film Night has grown to be a much-anticipated film festival presenting an array of international movies specifically selected by New Zealander curator Brett Cotter.
“Each year I set out with just one goal – to bring together the best cycling short films from around the world for our audiences,” Cotter said.
“This collection is awe-inspiring and celebrates the fun, the adventure and inspiration that bikes enable.
“Our stellar 2024 compilation contains 10 mesmerising films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for.
“This global program contains a fabulous Australian film alongside an incredible assortment of international movies making their premiere in Australia.”
Double Everest, shot in New Zealand, follows boundary-pushing rider Ben Hildred, “the vertical kilometre eater”, on his latest quest.
Everesting is a feather few cyclists have in their caps and its concept is fiendishly simple: pick any hill, anywhere in the world, and complete repeats of it in a single ride until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest.
Also in the treasure chest of films are: a visually commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure scouring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia; an inspiring documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra, New Zealand; the tale of a determined father and his daughter preparing for their greatest adventure together riding around Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan Trail; a film about 10 young people embarking on a 900km bikepacking trip from Wellington to Wānaka, New Zealand; a fast-paced, fun film about a feminist bike race film set in Toronto, Canada; and a moving movie set in Scotland, showcasing how the simple joy of riding bikes can make a big impact.
“The power of storytelling is at the forefront of what we offer and the belief that the humble bicycle can improve our health, inspire and uplift people with where it can take us,” Cotter said.
“We’re here to connect communities with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think and most importantly of all- inspire us to get out and ride.”
The Big Bike Film Night screens at the Avoca Beach Theatre at 7pm on Friday, August 16.
For more information and to buy tickets visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz