CharlieEdis

Maydena is a cracka park! It's amazing what the team at Maydena has been able to put together over the last 7 years alone, will be amazing to see where it goes in another 7 years time!! Also on the topic of Tasmanian forestry for anyone who may be interested; the state-run Tasmanian forestry industry is indeed a money-losing entity. Its operations have been subsidised into the billions of dollars over the past couple decades, essentially making it a work-for-the-dol style scheme where Australian tax-payers are the main thing keeping the operations going and forestry workers employed. This is all the while happening whilst destroying Tasmanian old growth rainforests with clear fell logging practices to primarily produce low-quality timber products such as sawdust, woodchips and pulp. This is in contrast to another industry that brought 4 billion dollars into Tasmania last year alone (Tourism). Tourism is an industry that also employs regional workers in Tasmania but organically makes a profit. Companies like Maydena Bike Park are an example of sustainable business innovation in a state full of outdated industries that destroy Tasmania's natural assets for short-term gains. In the case where you have a profit-making tourism business competing for land with a money-losing destructive industry, who can better use the land seems to be black-and-white. Yes, we need high-quality timber products, yes we need regional jobs, and yes we need to preserve our natural environments for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. However, the current scale and operation style of the Tasmanian forestry industry is not the best way to achieve these needs. Forestry shouldn't be banned outright, there are sustainable ways of utilizing forests for the benefit of society. State-run Tasmanian forestry is nowhere near achieving sustainable practice in its current form. This is not meant to be a stab at people working in forestry or to promote tourism as a universal solution to replace unsustainable industries. I'm simply trying to illustrate that we need to think of and exercise better ways of managing natural assets like the remaining ancient forests of Tasmania. Please just keep in mind these things if (and when) you visit Tasmania and places like it so you can truly appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to preserve wild places and provide access to them. Now go ride your bike and enjoy your own natural backyard! Yiew!!

@Dononemaccaboy: It beats kissing a bear or cougar any day...

@raceface: Sure, regardless of where the creators are from I'm still pumped to see the films as there's some real talent in the lineup. Looking forward to seeing the results!!

I remember reading through the conditions for entry when they announced the competition way back and was disapointed when I saw it stated the competition was only open to North American film makers. If a competition is aiming to explore meaningful, unique and diverse stories then surely it shouldn't be limited to film makers from one continent alone?

@Jenstin: If so, it would be better if they (pinkbike) were more transparent with such conditions. When I was contacted by staff at pinkbike a couple days after winning they stated that the prize would only take 8-10 weeks max to arrive. It's now been about 20 weeks... Pinkbike told me to contact the sponsor (shimano) directly to follow the issue up, 4 months later after sending emails almost weekly I've seemed to have gotten nowhere. Shimano Australia aren't responding to any emails and I've tried calling them directly multiple times. Honestly I can't see what else I can do...