Video Of The Day: ‘Line Of Sight’ Trailer From The 2012 Bicycle Film Festival

While most eyes are on the Tour de France, there’s a much more intriguing form of cycling that’s quickly becoming a phenomenon: underground bicycle messenger racing.

Yes, it’s a real thing, and it appears to be spreading. Filmmaker Lucas Brunelle spent more than a decade profiling and documenting messenger cultures around the world, and he recently released “Line of Sight,” a 60-minute documentary film that premiered Saturday at the 2012 Bicycle Film Festival in New York City. According to the description:

This is bike riding like you’ve never seen before, in gripping first-person perspective through the most hectic city streets, on expressways in Mexico City, over the frozen Charles River, under the Mediterranean Sea, across the Great Wall of China and deep into the jungles of Guatemala.

Sounds much more gripping than the winding, tree-lined roads of France.

Travel company to host third annual cycling film festival

Ciclismo Classico, an adventure travel company that specializes in bike tours, has put out a call for entries for their third annual film festival to be held later this spring. The event gives aspiring filmmakers the chance to show off their skills, while also earning them an opportunity to win a cycling trip of their choice.

The event, which is the only film fest in the U.S. dedicated solely to bike travel, will take place May 17th in the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA. The evening will feature some of the best short, independent films that highlight the joy and adventure of two-wheeled travel, whether that’s around the block or around the globe. The only stipulations are that the film must be between 3 minutes and one hour in length and focuses exclusively on cycling travel.

The entry fee for the competition is just $25, although entries received before February 1st receive a $5 early-bird discount. All submissions are due by March 1st and the selection committee will notify the filmmakers of their inclusion in the festival by early April. The ultimate winner, which will be selected by a grand jury on the night of the festival, will receive a Ciclismo Classico cycling tour valued at $2600. An additional winner will be awarded at the event based on an audience vote as well.

Whether you’re an amateur who enjoys making your own movies, or the next Spielberg looking for your big break, this is a great opportunity. Not only do you have the chance to screen your short film in front of a live audience (other than your mom!), but you could also go home with a free trip too.

Tickets for the Nomading Film Festival in New York go on sale Friday

After a successful run this past June, the Nomading Film Festival is returning to New York this summer, June 23, 2012. Nomading Film Festival is an event that showcases stories caught on film during peoples’ travels, giving new talent a chance to share their stories and viewers a chance to travel all over the world without leaving Brooklyn.

The really early bird tickets will be sold at a very discounted price this Friday, November 11, 2011. Not only that, but travelers of all ages from all over the world can begin submitting their travel videos (must be under 15 minutes). Until April 30, 2012, submissions are only $10, and selected filmmakers will be notified by May 15, 2012. Prizes, such as trips, flights, and gear, are awarded in three categories:

  • The nomad I want to travel with
  • The most enlightening trip
  • Simply put, that trip makes me want to travel, now!

Guest speakers, workshops, games, and music will also be part of the fun. For more information, visit their official website. To get a better idea of what to expect, check out one of Nomading’s travel-inspired films:


Top 5 festivals in New York this weekend

New York is known for its many cultural, artistic, and just downright fun festivals. If you are looking to experience some of the unique events that the city has to offer make sure you’re in town this weekend, October 1-2, 2011, for five must-attend festivals of the Fall.

Chile Pepper Fiesta
When: Oct 1, 11AM-6PM
Where: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

For those who love anything spicy (including your music!) the Chile Pepper Fiesta is a must. The event will include 8 bands from sizzling regions, hot salsa, tingling kimchee, zesty pickles, and other fiery foods. There will also be a Chile-Chocolate Takedown contest where you will be able to sample and vote. Along with musical entertainment there will also be circus-style performances such as chile pepper juggling and fire eating.

New York Burlesque Festival
When: Sept 29-Oct 2
Where: Varies by performance

If you want to see the sexier side of New York, come check out the New York Burlesque Festival. Friday night is the premier party with some of the top names in the business in attendance. Hosted by Scotty the Blue Bunny at Brooklyn Bowl. Saturday night, Murray Hill hosts a bed-supper-club style party with a stage of beauty queens at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. Sunday is the last day of festival as Miss Astrid hosts an Oscar-like award ceremony for Burlesque at the Highline Ballroom.

New York Wine and Food Festival
When: Sept 29-Oct 2
Where: Varies, but mainly in the Meatpacking District

Not only can you enjoy delicious cuisine and sample local and international wines at the New York Wine and Food Festival, you can also give back to charity, as 100% of the net proceeds to to the Food Bank for New York City. Television chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay, culinary experts, wine makers, and cocktail connoisseurs come together to give demonstrations, tastings, panels, classes, book signings, and more.

Art in Odd Places
When: Oct 1-10
Where: Along 14th Street, from Ave C to the Hudson River

While visiting art galleries in New York is always an enlightening experience, being indoors all day, especially with the beautiful Fall weather, can feel a bit cramped. Art in Odd Places allows people to experience an open-air art event, including visual and performance art with a ritualistic theme.

New York Film Festival
When: Sept 30-Oct 16
Where: The Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center

The New York Film Festival is a must for any film lover, especially if you want to find unique films from around the world with interesting perspectives that you usually would not find at your local movie theater. The festival aims to create and enhance an understanding of the art form of film. Some titles to lookout for include The Artist, Sleeping Sickness, Footnote, 4:44 Last Day on Earth, and My Week With Marilyn. Ticket prices and show times vary.

Mountainfilm Festival announces full line-up of guests and films

The 2011 edition of the Mountainfilm Festival is now just a week and a half away, and to celebrate the big event, organizers have launched a newly designed website. Perhaps more importantly however, they’ve also shared the complete line-up of films that will be shown, as well as the guests that will be on hand.

Held annually in Telluride, Colorado, Mountainfilm is now in its 32nd year. The event has become one of the top adventure and outdoor film festivals in the world, drawing top filmmakers on a yearly basis. This year’s line-up includes a dizzying array of films ranging from the critically acclaimed Buck, which profiles real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman, to Swiss Machine, a 25-minute documentary on climbing phenom Ueli Steck. Other titles include A Perfect Soldier, which tells the tale of a man who was conscripted into the Khmer Rouge army at a young age, and Into Darkness, a short film that explores amazing cave systems. There are literally dozens of films scheduled to be shown, with topics ranging from the environment, exploration, travel, culture, and more. To view the entire line-up, click here.

Mountainfilm will also play host to a number of great guests once again this year, with the likes of actor/director Harry Shearer and environmentalist/writer Terry Tempest Williams. They’re joined by a host of adventure athletes such as climber Renan Ozturk and paddler Chris Korbulic, amongst others. For the complete run down of the special guests, click here.

This year’s festival is set to take place over the Memorial Day weekend, running from May 27-30. Passes are still available and can be purchased online here.