The Bike Film Fest is here in Minneapolis!

I'm heading out to the Bell Museum tonight after work to see “Ski Boys” and “Monkey Warfare” at 7pm. I'm particularly excited about “Ski Boys”, a bizarre Super8 film about the exploits of the Ski Boys in the 1970s. See you there? Afterparty at the 331 Club. The Bike Film Fest is just plain spectacular and no matter if you're a BMXer, a straight edge tall-bike rider or a ‘bent commuter you'll love it. Plus Surly is sponsoring it. Here's what you've got to look forward to over the next few days: More info can be found at [url=http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com]http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com[/url] BIKE FILM FEST SEPTEMBER 13-15! All screenings at The Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street SE. Admission price is $7.00 for an individual film and for a $27.00 festival pass. Order your tickets online before they sell out!! THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13 PROGRAM 1 7pm SKI BOYS + MONKEY WARFARE Dan and Linda are two ex-activists in Toronto who live a low-key lifestyle, selling junk online and riding their bicycles. After their pot dealer gets busted, they meet the young revolutionary Susan, forcing Dan and Linda to question their relationship and face their turbulent past. "Monkey Warfare" was well received at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Award. AFTER PARTY at 331 club 331 NE 13th Avenue FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14 PROGRAM 2 7pm BIKECAR USA 2006 DV 65 min. Dir. J.T. Fountain Travis Parker, Louie Fountain and Scotty Wittlake approached travel differently last winter. Putting snowmobiles and 4x4's to shame, the crew traveled across the great Northwest in a bikecar: a four-person, pedal-powered vehicle that was the vessel of the adventure – part bike, part car. Pulling a trailer with snowboards and gear, the crew pedaled in search of snow for one month. "Bikecar" is a one-of-a-kind documentary that brings a new perspective to travel, adventure and snowboarding. PROGRAM 3 9pm BFF DVD and KIEST PARK USA 2005 16mm 5min. Dir. John Ayala A seven year old leaves his parents and his block for the first time to explore, observe and destroy in a vast new world. AFTER PARTY TBA SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15 Peace Coffee Bike Ride to the Bicycle Film FestivalThe ride starts at 1pm at CRC Coffee Bar ( 3346 Lyndale Ave S) and makes it's way to the Bell Museum by 3pm, just in time for... PROGRAM 4 3pm WE JUST WORK HERE USA 2007 Super8 40 min. Dir. Brian Vernor Every luscious shot in this film exudes love of the bicycle. It follows the workers of Santa Cruz Bicycles, from the factory to the trails, streets and track. The track shots are so beautiful they would inspire any street fixie rider to head for the local track. Legendary skater Rob Roskopp founded a company on passion for the bicycle. The workers of Santa Cruz share this passion through playing and working together. PROGRAM 5 5pm KLUNKERZ USA 2006 DV/8mm/16mm/DigiBeta 88min. Dir. Billy Savage A history of the modern mountain bike, this film documents the rise of a huge cultural movement that was pioneered in Marin County on the trails of Mt. Tamaipais. Mountain Biking was born out of the creative scene surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area hippy and rock world of the '60s and '70s. This film features the characters of that day such as Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Charlie Kelly and Alan Bonds. The races began among friends getting stoned, partying and flying down the mountain on their pre-'40s bikes with fat tires: "Klunkerz." Those fun escapades turned into a sport that changed – and maybe even saved – the bike industry. Now, all over the world, you see people riding mountain bikes. PROGRAM 6 7pm AYAMYE* GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY USA 2007 DV 40min. Dir. Eric Matthies & Tricia Todd In Ghana, a rural village eagerly awaits a shipment of recycled bicycles from the United States. The majority of the bikes are sold in a colorful frenzy to pay for shipping costs, while the best bikes are set aside to take to the village. Ayamye* chronicles the lives of Nurse Letitia and Seth before they get the bicycles and again one year later. These two individuals are very different from each other, the common thread being the need for transportation and the wish for positive development in their community. "Ayamye" is a moving, life-affirming film that proves sustainable solutions to crisis are not always complex. PROGRAM 7 9pm MESSENGER PROGRAM + FUN BIKE SHORTS + LUCAS BRUNELLE WORLDWIDE BROADCAST USA 2007 DV 10min. Dir. Lucas Brunelle The famous Lucas Brunelle travels the world from London to Mexico City to New York. In this year's update of his worldwide adventures you see the emerging bike movement through his helmet cam. Afterparty at One On One Bicycle Studio (117 Washington Ave N.) See you there! TURTLE! In other news, my friend Devin(whose trashheap of a bike I borrowed for the Portland Bridge Pedal last month-thanks Devin!)'s turtle has miraculously reappeared after two years living in the wild abandons of his mom's neighbor's back yard. It's alive and healthy. I don't normally get excited about people being reunited with their long lost pets, but a turtle? That's awesome. I didn't even know turtles lived that long. -----