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The Big Bike Film Night will celebrate cycling in all its glorious shapes and forms at the Matakana Cinemas on Monday, April 29 and again on Monday, May 27.
Now in its 10th year, this year’s programme is described as “a feast of short films devised and designed for the two-wheel devotee”.
“Our stellar 2024 collection contains 10 mesmerising films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for,” organiser Brett Cotter says.
“This global programme contains a strong contingent of Kiwi films, including a world premiere, alongside an assortment of international films having their New Zealand premiere here as well.”
Double Everest is shot against Queenstown’s panoramic backdrop and 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 simple – pick any hill, anywhere in the world, and scale it repeatedly in a single ride until you climb 8848 metres, the equivalent height of Mt Everest.
“But what happens if your cap is full? So full, in fact, that you think, ‘Hey, why not do two Everests?’
“For Ben, it’s just another mountain bike ride, but for us mere mortals, it’s utterly bonkers and brilliant, that’s why I love it,” Cotter says.
The programme includes a visually commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure, scouring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia; a documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra who share a love and passion for their place, people and sport; discovering how a bicycle can be much more than a bicycle, as it brings change to people’s lives; and a determined father and daughter duo who prepare for their greatest adventure together: an ambitious ride that will push them to physical and emotional limits on a gruelling adventure around Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan Trail.
Cotter says the power of storytelling is at the forefront of the film selection, and the belief that the humble bicycle can improve health, inspire and uplift people, and connects communities.
“Each year I set out with just one goal- to bring together the best cycling short films from around the world for our audiences- celebrating the fun, the adventure, and inspiration that bikes enable.”
Info: www.bigbikefilmnight.nz
