Submissions are currently closed for the Bicycle Film Festival.

Be on the look out for upcoming festivals:

BFF Worldwide: December 20, 2023- February 29, 2024 (virtual)
BFF Mexico City: March 15-17, 2024
BFF New York: April 18-21, 2024

+ 20-30 more in-person festivals happening around the world in 2024

Stayed tuned for submissions opening in 2024 for our 25th anniversary.

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ABOUT BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL:

BFF screens films from established artists to emerging filmmakers who have a shared passion for bicycles. We celebrate the bicycle in all its human powered forms.

Each year, the programming team selects short and feature length films from around the world.

Documentary, live action, narrative, animation, music video, experimental stories - all are welcomed.

In its first year, the Bicycle Film Festival buzzed with National Press and sold out shows. It has not stopped since. in 2001, Brendt Barbur, Founding Festival Director, was compelled to start the Bicycle Film Festival when he was hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. He insisted on turning his negative experience into a positive one.

Barbur started the Bicycle Film Festival as a platform to celebrate the bicycle through music, art and, of course, film. Since then, the Bicycle Film Festival has been a major catalyst for the urban bike movement, one of the most powerful and culturally relevant forces of the last two decades. The BFF is sure to carry this momentum into the next decade. More and more people are riding bikes daily. People now identify with bicycling as a lifestyle. There is a huge fervor for bicycle culture. The Bicycle Film Festival is here to raise and reinforce the positive profile of cyclists to celebrate bicycling in its myriad of forms.

Bicycle Film Festival plays an important role in creating an eco-friendly society and bringing diverse communities together. There is no denying the environmental and health benefits that bicycling inherently entails. Bicyclists promote a healthy lifestyle using an ecologically sound form of transportation. Our base audience is composed of young, trendsetting city-dwellers who love and identify with film, art, music and sports. We have a loyal following that travels to different cities and countries to be part of the Bicycle Film Festival. The festival has had a significant impact on youth culture and has been embraced by many, including leaders in the realms of music, fashion, design, fine art, sports and film. Bicycle Film Festival has exceeded expectations. It is able to draw more and more attendees from year to year.

Past participants of Bicycle Film Festival have included: Spike Jonze, Erykah Badu, Karl Lagerfeld, Francesco Clemente, Shepard Fairey, Albert Maysles, Michel Gondry, Alex Katz, Kaws, Mike Mills, the Neistat Brothers, Tom Sachs, Ridley Scott, Kiki Smith, and Ai Weiwei.

Bicycle Film Festival headquarters is based in New York. The festival kicks off in New York City then travels globally. Every year, we sell out screenings throughout the world. In the past 24 years, the BFF has been produced globally in 100 cities such as Paris, London, Tokyo, Mexico City, Cape Town, Istanbul, and more at some of the most important venues such as Sydney Opera House, the Barbican, or an old factory in Zurich.

BFF has been attended by over 1 million attendees worldwide.

We accept films about cycling, the bicycle, and bike culture in all its human powered forms.

Feature length films are considered 30 minutes and over.

Short films are under 30 minutes.

We accept branded content, however, credits of talent and crew should be included.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Brady Lawrence

    BFF 2022 in Amsterdam was a great time! Brendt and Mandy put together an excellent program at a cool venue (Move Amsterdam). I had a great time reconnecting with old friends and meeting other filmmakers.

    February 2023
  • joee irwin

    Showing “The Bikestories” at the BFF was an incredible experience. Festival director, Brendt Barbur, treats filmmakers like family and the film programmer, Mandy Weiss, has been a delight to communicate with. Looking forward to next year!

    February 2022
  • Dan Schwert

    Such an honor to be recognized by this incredible festival. Keep up the great work!

    January 2022