Herds of bicycle enthusiasts from around the UK and Europe will flock to London this October for the Bicycle Film Festival’s eighth year in London,(11th year globally) to celebrate the world’s best invention: the bicycle. The BFF’s immense popularity and continued growth has evolved alongside the unprecedented boom in urban cycling worldwide.
From its roots in New York, the BFF has grown into a multi-faceted, global event that will travel to over 25 cities this year, from Milan to Tokyo, Minneapolis to Sydney. In 2001 Brendt Barbur, Founding Director, was compelled to create the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. He was inspired to turn this negative experience into a positive one, and created a festival that merges many creative communities including fashion, music and art, as well as the various bicycling communities of road cycling, mountain biking, fixed gear, BMX and cyclocross – over a shared passion for cycling.
Film highlights include the UK Premiere of RACING TOWARDS RED HOOK, (Dir. Jessica Scott & Hyde Harper) the story of 3 cyclists of diverse backgrounds competing in one of New York City’s biggest underground events, the 2011 Red Hook Criterium, and SUNCHASERS, (Dir. Irvin Coffee) a documentary which explores the world of competitive cycling through the lives of three disabled women, each in distinct periods of their cycling careers as they prepare for the Paralympics.
The festival also showcases a stellar collection of short films, including LAST MINUTES WITH ODEN (winner of Vimeo’s Best Video Award), dramatic documentary about Oden’s struggle with cancer, BIKELORDZ: STUNTS AND STYLES FROM ACCRA, GHANA, showcasing a new interesting bike culture, and BIKE RACE, a bike animation that puts some of cycling’s greats head to head.
Aside from the films, come and experience LATES at the Barbican, a BFF kick-off concert, featuring THE NEW CASSETTES as well as interactive events including Rollapaluza Roller Racing, a Fixed Tricks competition, and much more on Thursday October 6, A Night of Northern Soul, brought to you by the London Bike Forum (LFGSS) at Juno Bar, Shoreditch on October 7th , from 10pm- 2am. A BMX race, Bike Rides, the 5th Annual BFF Bike Polo Tournament, Seminars, and a Bicycle Themed Pub Quiz at Look Mum No Hands Café, (49 Old Street, EC1V) on Sunday the 9th . 300,000 people are expected to attend BFF in 2011.
Come and be part of something great! Please see www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/london for full program and latest updates. Tickets go on sale at the end of August, and can be purchased through the Barbican Box office at www.barbican.org.uk/film or 020 7638 8891 Please direct press inquires, image and interview requests to laura@bicyclefilmfestival.com
Bicycle Film Festival London, October 5-9, 2011 All film screenings: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
