Central Coast News

With its humble beginnings back in 2015, The Big Bike Film Night is now a much-anticipated Film Festival that brings a love of cycling to cinemas, presenting an array of international movies specifically selected by New Zealander Curator | “Film Pedlar”, 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- this collection is awe-inspiring and celebrates the fun, the adventure, and inspiration that bikes enable” says Mr Cotter.

“Our stellar 2024 compilation contains 10 mesmerizing films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for. This global programme contains a fabulous Australian film, alongside an incredible assortment of international movies making their premiere in Australia” states Mr Cotter.

Double Everest- Shot in New Zealand, against Queenstown's panoramic backdrop, this film follows boundary pushing rider Ben Hildred, “the vertical kilo-metre 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. But what happens if your cap is full? So full in fact, 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!” exclaims Mr Cotter.

Also in the treasure chest of films is a visually commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure scouring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia bringing together a masterpiece of breathtaking images and memories; meet a passionate and quirky Australian “bike whisperer”; an inspiring documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra, New Zealand 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, as it brings 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; 10 young people learn to ride a long way…. embarking on a 900km bikepacking trip from Wellington to Wanaka, New Zealand; a fast-paced, fun, and feminist bike race film set in Toronto, Canada that finally gives a groundbreaking, nearly forgotten athletic hero her rightful place in history; and a moving movie set in Scotland, showcasing how the simple joy of riding bikes can make a big impact; ALL in the mix!

“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. 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” says Mr Cotter.

  The Big Bike Film Night screens on the Central Coast at the Avoca Beach Theatre on Friday 16th August, 7:00pm. For more information and to buy tickets visit here