The screening sensation known as The Big Bike Film Night returns to Brisbane between August 27 –September 3 with a 2.5 hour programme celebrating cycling in all its glorious shapes and forms.
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 and “Film Pedlar”, Brett Cotter.
“Stories are at the heart of everything, and our dazzling 2026 collection features ten mesmerizing films; each as are as dynamic and diverse as you could hope for, and ALL ready to spin your wheels!” Mr Cotter said.
“Audiences will be transported from gravel adventures in the South Island of New Zealand to the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, from the rolling Rwanda hills to the lush forests of the Canadian West Coast, and we’ll crown things off on the slopes of the punishing Mont Ventoux, in Southern France,” he said.
A highlight of this year’s programme is the Australian premiere of Queen of the Mountain, which is set in the stunning surrounds of Queenstown, New Zealand.
This documentary follows Tasmanian Annie Ford, an adventure activist, as she attempts to break the 24-hour Guinness World Record in downhill mountain biking – all to raise funds for reforesting the foothills in the Queenstown basin.
Annie’s relentless pursuit not only pushes the limits of endurance but also becomes a powerful symbol of resilience and environmental commitment.
“Annie is known for combining extreme endurance challenges with environmental advocacy. This film not only showcases Annie’s grit and determination but also shows how using adventure as a tool can inspire others!” Mr Cotter said.
Also showing in this treasure chest of films is a dazzling mountain bike ride exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, embracing the magic of the midnight sun.
Two cyclists trace a line through Te Waipounamu / New Zealand’s South Island, on the first known ride of the Southern Way 1,000, a newly mapped 1,000km gravel loop from Queenstown in the Southern Alps to the coast and back again
Watch an inspiring film that captures the wettest, most heinous riding conditions imaginable, and also a film that playfully delves into the world of those taking cycling to new heights – celebrating fun, silliness, and creativity that comes with pushing boundaries on two wheels.
The audience will see what happens when a folding bike and a brave salesman undertake a 1,000 km gravel race across Rwanda: three colleagues, one wild idea, and a small machine with a giant heart.
Watch a compelling story about perseverance, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of navigating daily life following a life-altering injury, and how adaptive design has transformed and enriched the journey forward.
Be touched by a moving movie that follows a father and son’s journey as they take on one of life’s most meaningful milestones – riding a bike together as a family.
And we all love an underdog tale! This charming, funny, heartfelt film inspires us to believe that we all have the capacity to be unlikely heroes in our own stories.
The audience is transported back to the nostalgic 1990s, to the slopes of the punishing Mont Ventoux, in Southern France, to witness the drama of a battle between two giants.
The Big Bike Film Night screens in Brisbane at the South Bank Cineplex on Thursday, August 27, 7pm; at the New Farm Cinema on Wednesday, September 2, 6:30pm; and at the Bayside Cinemas Wynnum on Thursday, September 3, 7pm. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz.
