Seventh Annual Bicycle Film Festival

By Hazel Last edited 197 months ago
Seventh Annual Bicycle Film Festival
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The breathlessly international Bicycle Film Festival is seven years old this year and it is rolling into London with a string of cool films and even cooler parties and exhibitions, from Wednesday 17 October to Sunday 21 October.

Films about two-wheel transport range from modern-day radicalism in Canada to gruelling fundraising cycle hikes over the Alps, from the factory floor in America to changing lives in Ghana, a helmet-camera tour of several international cities and a short history of the modern mountain bike. After-parties abound and a special art exhibition inspired by cycling is on display alongside all this excitement.

All films are being screened at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green, the throbbing heart of all this two-wheeled adventure. We're not sure what cycle parking is like but it's a film festival devoted to bicycles so it's likely your two wheels will be welcome at the venue. An unlimited entry festival pass for £21.00 is good value, otherwise it's £7.00 per screening.

Oh, and there's a a special round of Brick Lane Bike Polo on the last day of the festival for those who fancy a chukka. We haven't made this up. Seriously. Bring your own bike, helmet and polo mallets if you have them.

While we're talking about bikes, we think you should know about some cycling inspired urban gaming at the Barbican in Rider Spoke. This is the cycle-mounted Wifi gaming experience by technology / theatre / game designers Blast Theory, and is a dreamy reworking of the city which the cyclists / players / performers carry out for themselves. We tried this over the weekend, and while cycling in the city is interesting anyway, this experience was exhilarating and eye-opening. Booking is understandably full but check it out here and beg, borrow (but don't steal) a chance to take part.

Seventh Annual Bicycle Film Festival, Wednesday 17 October to Sunday 21 October at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green. For more information and to book tickets, go to the festival website here.

Last Updated 15 October 2007