bike film festival

Backwards Rider, the hero in one of the films and a capable video-maker himself. Photo by Xander.

The Bicycle Film Festival is coming to town! From August 10-13, the travelling film festival will be staking out ground in the hearts and minds of Toronto bike lovers.

The festival will feature close to 50 bike-related films at the Royal Cinema (College and Clinton) going from Friday to Saturday. Today, Wednesday, features an art show and panel discussion at the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) followed by the Bikes Rock Kickoff Part at the Horseshoe (370 Queen Street West).

Canadian films being shown include Fabric Bike, featuring Toronto's fashionistas The Deadly Nightshades and the bike they make out of fabric.

Parts Unknown about George who was the popular proprietor of the ramshackle Parts Unknown back-alley bike shop that was forced to close (George is now operating out of a garage in the back alley at Denison and Queen St West).

Photo by Tino.

Labour of Love about Canadian ultra-cyclist Caroline Van Den Bulk attempting the Race Across America 5000 mile endurance race.

Critical Mass Toronto

I'm sitting in the theatre thinking that if someone forced me to guess the theme of the next film I would have to say it would be about biking as whimsical, free and pure fun. Then the film would show someone cruising around on their bike, maybe doing something intentionally pointless like doing wheelies, making waffles or pulling a rake in the sand. All very much meant to tap our inner hippie.

The Bicycle Film Festival started eight years ago in New York City by Brendt Barbur. Last fall it first came to Toronto with the help of Benny Zenga of Winking Circle fame, with their tall bikes and other whimsical, eccentric creations. (My inner workaholic Calvinist has a bit of a problem with eccentricity and whimsy.)

Bike Film Festival The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West in the ART BAR
OPENING August 22 7pm-12am
August 22-26 Open 12pm-5pm

More info / Full schedule of the festival.

Bicycle art by The Winking Circle and friends in the BALLROOM
7-2 FREE
Performance by:
MATT SMITH
POLMO POLPO
LULLABYE ARKESTRA