Since 1995, The Festival has enjoyed a worldwide reputation deeply anchored in the local community.  Chris Gore’s Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide says “Eclectic and inspiring, the festival hosts an array of guests including film directors, producers, distributors, festival and TV programmers.”

Advance tickets go on sale January 9th at: http://victoriafilmfestival.com.  If you’re planning to travel, the luxury Fairmount Empress Hotel is offering a special 2-person package of $130 (US) per night including 2 movie tickets, a full English breakfast, and cocktails at the Empire Theatre lounge, the festival hub.

http://bikeportland.org/2008/11/25/veer-documentary-accepted-to-victoria-film-fest/

See photos of the event here http://www.flickr.com/photos/ichad/sets/72157609995372123/show/

Portland, OR (Nov. 1, 2008) — VEER, a documentary about community groups created as a result of the rising tide of bicyclists in the United States.

VEER offers a peek into the world of several colorful cycling groups, including the Zoobombers, a loosely-knit group that makes late-night, high-speed, downhill rides on small child-size bicycles, and the Sprockettes, an all-female synchronized mini-bike dance troupe.

Actor Matthew Modine, star of Full Metal Jacket and recent recurring guest star in the Showtime TV series Weeds, narrates the film. Modine is known for his bicycle activism as the founder of Bicycle for a Day, which had its first annual ride in Manhattan this September, attended by more than 15,000 cyclists.

Co-producers Greg Fredette (Director) and Jason Turner (Director of Photography) began work on the project in early 2007 and began post-production work six months ago.

The film features music by music artists Boy Eats Drum Machine, Dykertiz, Euromotion, Helio Sequence, Starfucker, The Stars of Track and Field, and Devo front man Mark Mothersbaugh, among others.

The November screening is being held in conjunction with Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). One of the film’s storylines follows the BTA’s executive director Scott Bricker as he pushes a bill through the state legislature increasing penalties for accidentally killing a bicyclist on public roadways. The law passed in 2007: motorists now face up to a $12500 fine or community service and driver education training for injuring or killing a cyclist. The new law is among the strongest in the nation.

The film’s trailer is available online at:http://www.veerthemovie.com/trailer.asp

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Footnotes:

Bicycle for a Day: www.bicycleforaday.org

Matthew Modine on the Early Show with co-anchor Harry Smith
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/17/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main4455256.shtml

“Veer” documentary shares depth of bike culture, from BikePortland.org
http://bikeportland.org/2008/09/16/veer-documentary-offers-glimpse-into-portlands-bike-culture/

http://bikeportland.org/2008/09/16/veer-documentary-offers-glimpse-into-portlands-bike-culture/