Proclaimed as “a feast of short films devised and designed for the two-wheel devotee” it has its humble beginnings in Taupō, New Zealand in 2015. The Big Bike Film Night is now a much-anticipated global 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 short cycling films from around the world for our audiences- celebrating the fun, the adventure, and inspiration that bikes enable” says Mr Cotter.

“Our scintillating 2025 collection contains eight mesmerizing films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for. With arguably the finest selection of cycling films yet, from the exotic location of northern Pakistan to the suburban streets of Santa Barbara in America, from the soaring mountain peaks of Austria to breathtaking Queenstown, New Zealand to the captivating Scottish Highlands” states Mr Cotter.

All In or Nothing- A classic Kiwi story set around the magnificent Nelson/ Tasman region in New Zealand, this film follows the young Kiwi 19-year-old trailblazer, Matt Fairbrother, as he participates in the multistage enduro event The New Zealand Mountain Bike Rally against 120 riders. We follow Matt as he chooses a different approach to this race, competing in a league of his own in his entirely signature unsupported style – fueled by a penchant for chocolate milk and a “can do” attitude in making it happen over the gruelling six-day schedule.

“Matt is known for doing things differently! This mind-blowingly awesome film not only showcases Matt’s grit, determination, and resilience over the 27 downhill enduro race stages, there’s also the additional 500km cycling that he did between the stages carrying his own kit, eating what he carried, sleeping rough in a bivy, kayaking 50kms across the ocean, and grinding up 18,000 extra vertical metres to get to the finish line, this human-powered adventure is epic in every sense!” exclaims Mr Cotter.

Also in the treasure chest of films is

• an exhilarating film that redefines what’s possible on a gravel bike on technically challenging terrains
• an inspiring mountain bike ride through back country Queenstown, New Zealand, that is both poetic and meaningful
• a celebration of grit, camaraderie, and the beauty of “Type 2 Fun”; this bikepacking film is an ode to the ride, not the finish line
• a captivating film that promises to take you on a journey of compassion, community, and the joy of cycling
• an uplifting film that follows a group of adventurers who gather to cycle from town out to the local Ski Field and back, carrying all their gear, with the purpose to raise awareness about the climate impact that comes with travelling and adventuring
• a life-changing experience for a group of friends who undertake a trip to a bothie (hut) in the Scottish Highlands to show what can be achieved by people with disabilities in relation to having adventures
• and a film set in Pakistan that celebrates the art of “winging it”, and how travelling by bicycle and the power of exploration can obliterate preconceptions and contribute to understanding others
• ALL in the mix!

“The power of storytelling is at the forefront of what we offer, and the belief that a bike is more than two-wheels, it can be whatever you want to be- it can help improve our health and inspire and uplift people with where it can take us. It’s a real honour connecting communities with stories that captivate us, move us, and most importantly of all- inspire us to get out and ride” says Mr Cotter.

The Big Bike Film Night screens in Brisbane at the South Bank Cineplex on Tuesday 19th August, 7:00pm, at the New Farm Cinema on Tuesday 26th August, 6:30pm and the Bayside Cinema Wynnum on Wednesday 27th August, 7:00pm.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz

Join us as we journey back through the incredible career of one of cinema’s greatest auteurs with our special one-day-only screenings of six whimsical gems from Anderson’s back catalogue including: –
FANTASTIC MR. FOX (PG) | 10:30AM
THE DARJEELING LIMITED (M) | 12:30PM
THE FRENCH DISPATCH (M) | 2:00PM
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (MA15+) | 4:15PM
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (M) | 6:30PM
ISLE OF DOGS (PG) | 8:40PM
Tickets sold separately for each session.

WHERE’S WES?
Find Wes on your cinema seat and you could win a $100 Voucher to the whimsical Wes Anderson-inspired Henley’s Cocktail Bar & Kitchen in Teneriffe (session and seat chosen at random so keep your eyes peeled).

Wes Day
Saturday 17 May 2025
Dendy Portside
www.dendy.com.au

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 2023 compilation contains 10 mesmerizing films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for. This global programme contains a World premiere, two fabulous Australian films, and an assortment of international films having their premiere here as well” states Mr Cotter.

Return to Dillon Cone, set and shot in the rugged coastal Kaikōura ranges in New Zealand opens the bike film night extravaganza up, following a team who have spent five years formulating a dream… an attempt to reach an unridden peak accessible only by river.

The expedition has only one option to get there, taking on the jagged gorges of the Clarence River (Waiau-toa awa) by packraft, and afterwards travelling by mountain bike, in their pursuit of summiting the steep shingle-laden slopes of the imposing Dillon Cone. “It’s adventure and above!” exclaims Mr Cotter.

Also in the treasure chest of films is a delightful young Australian bikepacker’s learnings from her scenic trip to Hell; a visually commanding film set in postcard Tuscany following a 74-year old rider (and his marvellous moustache) who personifies the spirit of cycling; two Brisbane schools sharing their insights into how they promote active transport within their school community; the tale of a rider with a searing thirst for adventure, exploring Iceland’s spectacular interior; putting the ‘mountain’ into mountain biking – a Scottish highland rider’s eyes are opened to the healing power of the bicycle; an uplifting film that celebrates a humble volunteer whose community spirit is inspiring and so are the majestic winter views of the trail where he lives; a moving movie that follows a family that choses to live life to the fullest in the face of adversity; and rounding out the night, find out what happens when you combine a ultra-distance 320 km gravel race and parenting together over a 24-hour period; 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. The event brings together communities with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think, and most importantly of all- inspiring us to get out and ride” says Mr Cotter.

The Big Bike Film Night 2023
New Farm Cinemas – 5 September 2023, 6.30pm
Majestic Cinemas Wynnum – 6 September 2023, 7.00pm
www.bigbikefilmnight.nz