Life Cycles, the innovative mountain bike film produced by local talent - and which made its Kootenay debut with such a big party in Trail last fall - cleaned up the awards at the 2011 X Dance Film Festival on Jan. 25 in Park City, Utah.
“X Dance is both the largest and most renowned action sports film festival in the world,” said Life Cycles co-creator Ryan Gibb. “There were so many talented filmmakers who participated and it is a great honor to be counted among them.”
Life Cycles won Best Director and Best Cinematography at the festival, and also became the first mountain bike film to win Best Film. In fact, it’s the first film in the festival’s history to win all three big awards.
“Taking home the three major awards from X dance was really a validation for us that we have created a film that people are truly enjoying” said Derek Frankowski the film’s other co-creator.
Life Cycles was the last film to play in the packed theatre and was followed by a standing ovation. Brain Wimmer, the Director and founder of X Dance, was perfectly clear. “Life Cycles brings action sports filmmaking to another level of cinematography and direction.”
The judges were unanimous: “Spectacular execution. A beautiful perspective,” said cinematographer Mark Williams. “I really think Life Cycles is in class of it’s own.”
Director Christ Woods said it was “the most incredible cycling cinematography ever, photographed with a fresh and pioneering eye for the genre.”
“I kept scratching my head, how did they get those shots?” said Scot Schmidt, a ski industry pioneer. “It was about the love of the sport and not about pro riders and their sponsors.”
However it is judged, the filmmakers hope Life Cycles will act as an ambassador for mountain biking, helping to align it with other action sports. For more, visit www.lifecyclesfilm.com.