March 21, 2025 - It’s our 25th Anniversary and we’re celebrating virtually some of our Greatest Hit films that screened from 2001 until today with BFF Classics. Read the story of the Bicycle Film Festival, from bike crash to global celebration below.

The Story of the Bicycle Film Festival – From Bike Crash to Global Celebration
In 2001, Brendt Barbur’s life was changed when he was struck by a bus while cycling in New York City. Rather than letting this incident define him, Brendt chose to turn it into a celebration of bicycles—and thus, the Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) was born.

What began as a personal mission has since evolved into a global event, now celebrated in over 100 cities worldwide and reaching more than a million people. The festival has become a vibrant global gathering that embraces cycling through film, art, music, and culture.

Over the years, the festival has partnered with renowned institutions such as the Sydney Opera House, the Barbican, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. BFF’s reach extends across major cities like Tokyo, Paris, London, New York, and Mexico City, where diverse audiences have come together. In addition to the films, the festival features music performances, art exhibitions, panel discussions, and culinary experiences.

Notable figures from various fields have also participated in the festival, including Erykah Badu, Kaws, Ridley Scott, Karl Lagerfeld, Spike Jonze, and Ai Weiwei, to name just a few. The Bicycle Film Festival is a testament to the many ways in which the bicycle has influenced culture, bringing people together through a shared passion for filmmaking and the spirit of cycling.

Watch Bike Movies at home right now.
40 past films curated into 5 programs:

Program 1 – ADVENTURE SHORTS
Program 2 – URBAN BIKE SHORTS
Program 3 – CINEMATIC SHORTS
Program 4 – ADVENTURE SHORTS II
Program 5 – BRIAN VERNOR RETROSPECTIVE (feature films)

Get a full festival pass to watch all 5 programs here.

Each program is available to watch worldwide now through May 1, 2025.

How does BFF Worldwide Virtual work?
Now through May 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET, BFF can be streamed to your computer, tablet, or smart TV. After purchase, an individual confirmation with instructions will be sent to your email. You may view BFF in one sitting, or as you will, from the comfort of your home up until May 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.  All prices are in USD. Passes and tickets are sliding scale. Those who can afford to give more allow for lower sliding scale price points and free future programming that BFF hosts virtually year round.

For home viewing only. Not intended for public use. If you’re interested in screening BFF in person, or have any questions, please email info@bicyclefilmfestival.com

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of BFF over the past 25 years.

The 25th Anniversary celebrations have only just begun.

Bikes Rock!

Bicycle Film Festival passes here.