Parkside Victoria's first film premiere wows audience, raises $1,200
With the sweet surround sound of birds chirping, rain falling, and two wheels ripping across beautiful landscapes, Parkside's HD movie theatre delighted more than 100 people during Victoria's first official screening of Life Cycles on Saturday (Jan. 8).
The critically-acclaimed mountain bike film features innovative filming techniques, creative editing, and thought-provoking narration on the industrial inception and evolution of the bicycle. Yet, the Stance Films project attracted not only avid local riders, but also Victorians simply interested in creative visual art.
And Parkside's theatre was just the place to show it.
“[It has] nice comfortable seats, great sized screen,” said one audience member after the show. “Quaint, but just what you want for something like this.”
Along with a draw featuring a one-night stay at Parkside and a variety of bike gear, the four showings in Parkside's 29-seat theatre raised about $1,200 for the South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS) and Team Aviawest's Junior Development team.
Both SIMBS and Team Aviawest helped take tickets, usher visitors, and, sadly, turn-away those who tried to purchase tickets after the event sold out.
“We introduced kids and adults to an amazing made-in-BC film while raising funds for important cycling organizations,” said organizer Neil Judson. “As a big supporter of running, swimming and cycling events and initiatives in Victoria, it was a great opportunity to strengthen Parkside's connection to local athletics.”
The premiere is just the beginning. On February 12, Parkside is hosting the Victoria Film Festival's ConVerge event in its HD movie theatre.