THE BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL
ROLLS INTO LOS ANGELES
CELEBRATE TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORTATION 
JUNE 21-24-

by

debbie lynn elias

Los Angeles, CA (May 24, 2006) – “May I park your bike?” In the parking lot we call Los Angeles, this is not a common phrase. But come this June, get ready for two-wheeled transportation to take over the city as the 2006 Bicycle Film Festival rolls into town. The Bicycle Film Festival (BFF), complete with complimentary valet bike parking, kicks off on June 21, 2006 with screenings at The Vine Cinema. Known as the largest bicycle related cultural event in the country, the BFF has largely been responsible for the spike in popularity and interest of urban bike culture. The BFF is four days of highlighting shorts and feature films, as well as artists and musicians, celebrating the bicycle in all its various forms and styles.

Hot off the BFF’s success in New York in May 2006, the LA festival spans four days – June 21 through June 24 – with screenings at The Vine Cinema, located in Livermore at 1722 First Street. The first night kicks off with an art show at the Don O’Melveny Gallery located at 5472 Wilshire Blvd. Participating artists include: Michel Gondry, Peter Sutherland, David Choe, Shepard Fairey, Swoon, and many others. On June 22, festival attendees invade Spaceland (1717 Silverlake Blvd.) for a dance party and rock show. Then gear up for the screenings on June 23rd and 24th, each featuring one full-length bicycle themed film, preceded by fun shorts that were chosen from hundreds of submissions from around the world. Submissions for this years BFF came from over 15 countries including Iran, Mexico, Ghana, Canada, and the United States. The festival will also feature an event in celebration of Peter Sutherland’s recently released documentary photo book – Pedal (Powerhouse Books). All BFF related events include free bicycle valet parking – there has never been a stolen valet parked bike. Following the June festival Los Angeles, the Bicycle Film Festival will travel to seven other cities: Minneapolis (July), Chicago (July), London (September), San Francisco (October), Sydney (October), Tokyo (November) and Milan (December). The BFF is assisted, in part by its sponsors Timbuk2, Matador Records, and Anthem Magazine.

“The Bicycle Film Festival has an incredible lineup of films for 2006. We are so excited to have filmmakers like Peter Sutherland, the Neistat Brothers and Mike Martin involved. The festival keeps growing in size and popularity every year and I just can’t help but be inspired by the growth in enthusiasm for bicycle riding,” says founding director Brendt Barbur.

After being struck by a bus in New York City (one of the worlds richest bicycle culture zones) in 2000, Barbur was compelled to turn his negative experience into something positive. The festival has been selling out shows since its inception in 2001 and has sparked international recognition for artists including the Neistat Brothers and Lucas Brunelle who are working to show that not only does bicycle riding bring people together, but it’s ecologically better for everyone on the earth. It’s free to pump air in your tires, but gasoline could cost almost three dollars a gallon. The festival brings together all aspects of bicycling to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways – ultimately, it’s all about having fun.

About the Bicycle Film Festival

The Bicycle Film Festival, founded by Brendt Barbur, was born out of the urban bike culture of New York City. Celebrating the bicycle, the fest is about all styles of bikes and biking. If you can name it we've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance? We bring together all aspects of bicycling to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways. Ultimately the Fest is about having a good time. Now in its sixth year, the festival has expanded to 10 cities, including: New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago, London, San Francisco, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Milan.

For more information regarding the Bicycle Film Festival or to speak with a BFF representative, please contact Pitch Control PR: Jill Meisner (jmeisner@pitchcontrolpr.com) or Nazira Sacasa (nsacasa@pitchcontrolpr.com) at 212.475.4919.