Films a celebration of the bicycle

A startling image from one of the short films showing at the Dome Cinema later this month.Picture by Fuego JB Liautard

Fans of cycling and cinema are in for a treat this month with the Big Bike Film Night — a showcase at the Dome Cinema of some of the best cycling short films from around the world.

This is a milestone year for the project which originated in Taupō as a passion project back in 2015 and marks a decade of delighting two-wheel devotees across New Zealand.

Big Bike Night features 2.5 hours of moving bike films that has everything a cycle-centric audience could want — action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration.

“The evening is unashamedly and utterly designed and devised for the two-wheel devotee,” says BBFN founder Brett Cotter.

“Each year I set out with just one goal — to find the best cycling short films from around the world for our audiences that celebrate the fun, the adventure, and the inspiration that cycling enables,” he said.

“These short films are a great reminder of why we love to ride our bike; with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think, and most importantly of all, inspire us to get out and ride. All celebrate the fun, adventure, and joy that cycling enables.”

The 2024 treasure chest of films includes:

■ a visually commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure touring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia bringing together a masterpiece of breathtaking images and memories

■ a documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra who all share a similar love and passion for their place, people and sport

■ discovering how a bicycle can be much more than a bicycle, bringing change to people’s lives

■ a determined father and his daughter prepare for their greatest adventure together — an ambitious ride that will push them to physical and emotional limits on a gruelling bike ride around Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan Trail

■ a passionate and quirky Australian cyclist advocating to “ride your bike, don’t just romance the idea”.

■ joining 10 young people as they learn to ride before embarking on a 900km bikepacking trip from Wellington to Wānaka.

■ a fast-paced, fun, and feminist bike race film that finally gives a groundbreaking, nearly forgotten athletic hero her rightful place in history

The Dome Cinema, February 20-21, 6.30pm, February 22, 7pm