April 22/05 2:52 am - 5th Annual Bicycle Film Festival

Posted by Editoress on 04/22/05
 

5th Annual Bicycle Film Festival

More Than 1000 Cyclists Expected to Participate In Downtown Bike Parade and Street Festival on May 14th

New York - The 5th Annual Bicycle Film Festival will kick off its 2005 tour next month, with a four-night stand at the Anthology Film Archives, May 12-15. In addition to screening 55 feature-length and short films that celebrate bicycles and urban bike culture, the festival will also host a bike-centric art show entitled “Street,” which will run throughout the festival, and a downtown parade on Saturday, May 14th, which is expected to draw more than 1000 cyclists. Festival passes (good for all screenings and parties) are $40. Screenings will be $8 each if purchased separately (this will also include free admission in to a party that evening). There will be free valet parking available for all screenings, courtesy of volunteers from Transportation Alternatives. May is National Bike Month.

This year’s festival will feature the premiere of a couple of documentaries about the events surrounding last summer’s Republican National Convention and the Critical Mass bicycle movement, which resulted in the arrests of hundreds of cyclists. “Still We Ride” a film by Andrew Lynn, Elizabeth Press and Christopher Ryan and “Bikes Against Bush” by Yury Gitman and Joshua Kinberg. Kinberg was arrested during an interview with Ron Reagan for MSNBC’s “Hardball.” Jonas Mekas and Virginie Marchand ‘s film “I Killed Myself All Night Long, Jonas Please Lend Me a Bicycle to Become Famous” will also make its debut. In addition, there are several films about bike messengers, including “Messenger,” the story of Alfred, one of the fastest messengers in NYC and a classic: “A Sunday In Hell,” the 1976 film about the Paris-Roubaix race by Jurgen Leth. “Joe Kid on a Stingray: the History of BMX” will also make its East Coast debut at the Bicycle Film Festival. Please call for a copy of the complete program.

For the art show “Street,” 15-20 pieces of bicycle art, including photographs, paintings and sculptures, will be on display at the Courthouse Gallery at the Anthology Film Archives (32 2nd Avenue) from Thursday, May 12th until Sunday, May 15th. (Hours: Thurs. + Fri. 6-10p.m.; Sat. + Sun. 12noon-10p.m.) Artists whose work will be shown include Ricky Powell, Amy Bolger, Eddie Williams, Taliah Lempert and Jessica Findley. Admission is free.

More than 1000 cyclists are expected to participate in the annual bike parade, which has an expanded route this year. The parade will start at 1p.m. on Saturday, May 14th at Madison Square Park (23rd St. between 5th Ave + Madison Ave.). The parade will end in front of the Anthology Film Archives (32 2nd Ave at 2nd St.). Route details to be announced soon.

2nd Street will be closed between 1st Ave. + 2nd Ave. for the street festival (2p.m.-5p.m.) , which will feature a BMX stunt show starring Chris Clark and Jeff Lenosky and Track Bike competitions.

There will also be a party each evening of the festival, featuring performances by bike-liking music artists including DJ Ted Shred and Blockhead. More performers to be announced soon.

The Bicycle Film Festival was born in the streets of New York City. In October 2000, Festival Director Brendt Barbur was hit by a bus while riding his bike in NYC and was compelled to transform his negative experience into a positive one that celebrates bicycles. The BFF debuted in NYC in 2001 and has been gaining momentum ever since. This year, the festival will roll into three new cities: Los Angeles (June dates TBA); London (August 25-27); and Tokyo (November 4-5) in addition to returning to San Francisco (October 6-8). This year’s festival is sponsored by Puma, Red Bull, Crumpler and Magnolia Pictures.