Locally produced bicycle-related short films June 15 at GoodLife Brewing.
The festival is a showcase of the unique cycling culture in Central Oregon and the Festival’s mission is to celebrate artistic expression while exploring the importance of the bicycle in our lives.
According to Festival Director Bill Warburton from the Bend Endurance Academy, “Submissions have been coming in and their quality improves every year. I expect to show around 20 films and at the end of each show the audience can vote for their favorite.” This year, the winners of the Bend Dental Group Audience Favorite Awards will each receive $200 cash.
Submissions this year have been varied. Warburton says they include, “Lots of disciplines like BMX, cyclocross, mountain biking, cruiser bikes, riding bikes in snow, in costumes and a couple more ambitious films, with one submission that may be presented in 3D.”
The BBFF is also one of the main events of the inaugural Subaru Outside Games, which is a weeklong celebration of bikes, boats, craft beers, running events and concerts. “We’re transforming the GoodLife Brewery into a theatre for the night,” Warburton says. “People can ride their bikes over there, eat dinner, hang out with their friends, watch some sweet movies and they should feel good knowing all proceeds from the tickets, raffle and drinks in the theater go to support our junior development programs at the Academy.”
The Bend Endurance Academy is a local non-profit offering youth, junior and adult programs for rock climbing, Nordic skiing and cycling. The BBFF has raised over $10,000 for local non-profits since 2009.
Tickets for the two all-ages shows start at $12 and are on sale now through the event website, at local bike shops and will be available at the door. Warburton cautions that the Festival has always sold out.
Doors open at 5pm for the 6pm show and doors open at 8pm for the 8:30pm show.