Official Trailer: The 2022 Beta Film Festival, Premiering Tomorrow at the Sedona MTB Festival

Mar 3, 2022 at 18:03
by Beta MTB  

The Beta Film Festival is an annual showcase of mountain bike films, celebrating the beauty of riding through the filmers, athletes and storytellers who live and breathe the sport. Our 2022 show premieres this Saturday, March 5th at 6 p.m. at the Sedona Mountain Bike festival, and will feature a lineup of 11 films that we couldn't be more proud and excited to show on the big screen.

Check out the trailer above, and read on for a breakdown of this year's varied, finely-crafted, inspiration, and just-plain-rad lineup. If you're in Sedona this weekend, we hope to see you at the show.

Photo Margus Riga

The lineup:

Premiere: So Far, We’ve Made It This Far

In constant search of the edge, a dynamic crew toes the line between risk and reward during an eight-day traverse of a remote subrange deep in British Columbia’s Chilcotin mountains. “So Far, We’ve Made It This Far” is an adventure film by Peter Wojnar, featuring Kenny Smith, Margus Riga, Kevin Landry and Fraser Newton. Run Time: 10:00.

U.S. Premiere: Lightfall

Legendary mountain bike photographer Sterling Lorence delves into his creative process, and the motivations that have kept him seeking inspiration in the dark North Shore woods for decades. By Anthill Films. Run Time: 12:00

Bandit Hill

In a world that feels so heavy, it’s hard to find things that lighten the mood, bring joy, and make you smile. But, if you look hard enough, try hard enough, and tap deep into your imagination, places of magic still exist. Places like Bandit Hill, Jill Kintner’s own world of whimsy. Produced by Juicy Studios. Run Time: 3:40

On Season: A Winter Weekend with Bellingham’s Shire Crew

The Shire crew, including Spencer Baldwin, Ian Carpenter and Scotty Scamehorn, are three of the PNW’s most prolific trailbuilders. Satchel Cronk spent a winter weekend around their hometown of Bellingham, Washington, digging trails and riding bikes. Run time: 4:30

Crossover feat. Christian Rigal

Christian Rigal is becoming a household name in the mountain bike community for his fast paced, all-out approach to riding. His history in BMX is undeniable with some of the most stand out video parts of a generation but his new passion for mountain biking is a breeding ground for creativity and a chance to look at the world with fresh perspective. Rigal’s latest video part “Crossover” is his interpretation of how to ride a trail bike and what you can build when you collaborate and bring together a group of like-minded friends. To the purists, his different approach to riding might feel like a far cry from the more traditional side of mountain biking, but for Christian, it’s been a refreshing new way to push himself and see what’s possible on a big bike. Filmer: Darryl Tocco. Run Time: 3:30.

Cloud Nine

In this beautifully shot and scored video, Specialized rider Spencer Rathkamp delivers a personal note on mental health and how the seemingly simple act of riding can positively affect it. Produced by Alto Visuals. Run Time: 4:40.

Why I Ride

Why I Ride is a self-shot short film by Louis Citadelle that pays tribute to all the aspects of mountain biking that I have learned to fall in love with. A journey through intense emotions and outstanding locations with the only goal in mind to reap the rewards of a narrow piece of trail awaiting to put a big grin on my face. Run Time: 6:00.

The Chase

As women’s freeride pioneer Claire Buchar moved away from official competition, she found herself connecting with her surroundings in the moment and embracing the mental and physical challenges of a big day on the bike. When it’s late fall in Buchar’s Sea to Sky backyard, it always feels like the changing season is chasing away that last bit of warmth, dirt and light, before it’s time to fully embrace the winter. Filmed by Ollie Jones. Run Time: 2:20.

SiiHasin

The powerful story of Claudia Jackson, her community, and the Tour de SiiHasin, a 400-mile annual bike ride across the Navajo Nation founded as an act of strength and resilience. The ride brings the community together for cultural connection, healing, wellness, and togetherness. The SiiHasin bike program was created to celebrate the simple fact that everyone should be able to experience the joy and freedom that only a bike can bring. That journey across the landscape takes you to places physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that you might normally never go. The SiiHasin short film follows the riders during the ninth annual Tour de SiiHasin. A film by Brooke Hopkins and Peter Gilbert in partnership with Giant Bicycles US. Run Time: 10:35

805 Presents: A Letter to Aptos—The Story of Ryan 'R-Dog' Howard

R-Dog was born and raised in the small beach town of Aptos, California - just outside of Santa Cruz and home to some of the best mountain biking on offer and the grounds of the iconic Post Office. His passion was never really in racing as a kid. For Ryan it was all about riding with style and poise. His all-for-fun mentality that he brings to every ride and his wide grom-like smile are inspiring others to hit the trails.Run Time: 19:06


Photo Anthony Smith
The 2021 and 1st annual Beta Film Festival premiere.


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53 Comments
  • 47 3
 I’m going to toss it out there. As someone who’s been into bike media since the only available form was print, it’s nice to see beta bring something different to the table. Bike was a great publication and it’s obvious that PB took some modeling from that format. Yes, you have to pay for beta. If you listened to the podcast here regarding the future of beta and PB you would also understand that there will be minimal change to PB and beta will have different offerings. PB also made it apparent that this transition will allow them to explore other offerings for us at the continued price of free. They also sound really excited for that opportunity to diversify. Let’s be honest, of all the online bike media available most of us feel PB is the best and for good reason. At the end of the day others simply offer the same thing in a different format. I’m personally ready for something different and for the price happy to keep the bike mag nostalgia going through beta. Bring on the down vote and beta pay wall hate!
  • 9 2
 2022 XC up DH down ultra mega enduro bike - $12000
Lit kit from Patagucci - $500
Travel expenses to ride some "spicy" trails - $1000
PB article to express how paywalls will be the end of Einstein's relativity - priceless
  • 7 2
 @GBeeston: Only £500 for kit? You’re doing something right to buy all your high end kit for that price mind!

Go ride your bike and spend less time crying about people that want to spend more than you do on kit/bikes/trips!! I think in this current time this kind of whingey shit isn’t important anymore!
  • 4 0
 Of all the online bike media I liked Eskapee most. I only jumped to Pinkbike when Dirt magazine went out of print, though soon after learned about Cranked and subscribed there. I don't mind paying for media but I'm curious, what does Beta add to what Cranked and all the Misspend Summers stuff already offer?
  • 2 1
 Beta is a great product. Well worth the money.
  • 7 1
 Could be worse. Could be GMBN.
  • 1 0
 @GBeeston: Love how patagucci is now an international term Big Grin
  • 16 3
 I apologize for the negativity but I still can't get past the name Beta. It has always had a negative connotation in my world meaning it is not quite ready for public consumption. I was a long time sub of Bike magazine and I would love to have a new print magazine to read while traveling and in the restroom but I just don't want that kind of negativity staring me in the face every time I sit down for my morning constitution.
  • 8 4
 1. You don’t owe anyone an apology for stating your point of view.

2. The only thing worse than the name is the press release they sent out trying to explain the name, wherein they tried to convince us that Beta meant something I’ve never associated with the word “Beta” in my whole life.

They wrote, it’s "a word synonymous with hard-won wisdom—and the act of gifting it to a friend.” No. No it’s not.

That said, I’m down with a mountain bike film festival. Could be a great idea.
  • 10 2
 @TheR: I'm not a huge fan of the name either, but I mean...that is a very common use for the word beta in the outdoor community. Just because you haven't heard it doesn't mean they're wrong. If you go get beta on a new trail, feature, route, etc that means you went and explored a new zone and you're bringing the information back to your friends. "I got beta on that new line built out by the ridge." It's more commonly used in climbing, but it's pretty ubiquitous in all outdoor sports.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_

For what it's worth, I didn't read their press release.
  • 3 3
 Anyone who uses Alpha is equally lame. It says "Oh I'm an effin tough guy with an overinflated ego."

Just because some douchenozzle made you believe that Beta was a derogatory term doesn't mean the rest of the world thinks that.
  • 9 0
 @ozarksagd: Maybe, but I’m not exactly a shut-in, and they completely missed the mark with me. I associate it either with a first-trial iteration, or with lower social status. Or maybe an obsolete home video format. Judging by the comments over the months, I’m not alone.

People have explained that it’s more common in climbing. Perhaps if they were running a climbing publication it would be more on the mark. Might have been better in this case to name the site after something more in line with mountain bike parlance.

So, great name for a climbing publication, but misses the mark for a mountain bike pub. Just one guys opinion.
  • 2 1
 @TheR: Had to start with a B and had to be 4 letters was the branding criteria I bet...its just a re-skined BIKE magazine. Name is lame...but so is the name Pinkbike.
  • 3 1
 Out of curiosity, what connotations do you have with "Pinkbike?"
  • 6 2
 Cant get around Beta but call yourself a long time sub?
  • 5 1
 Stupidest name ever. Resulting from a plant-based focus group.
  • 6 3
 @PHeller: All the Betas say that.
  • 2 1
 @agmin: My love of bikes began with the BMX freestyle era in the mid 80s. Back then pink was a popular color for freestyle bikes, especially. My brother had the most beautiful hot pink Dyno Pro Compe. So to me, the association is nostalgic.

Can’t say that’s what the owners of the site intended, and I can’t say the majority of the users associate that with the name, but it does connect with me for that reason. And at the very least it had the word “bike” in it. Also, it’s kind of irreverent in its own way, which kind of reflects its free ride/DH roots.
  • 1 3
 I'm not sure why the word Beta bothers you so much considering you call yourself a sub 2 sentences later.
  • 1 1
 @TheR: @toddmania98 : I think you misunderstood the 'beta' in 'beta-testing' and are upset that a legitimate use of the word doesn't conform to that misunderstanding. Beta, in terms of research and information is synonymous with 'information-gathering'.
  • 1 2
 @PHeller: Did you read past the words 'negative connotation'? He didn't even bring up the idiotic 'alpha' thing.
  • 4 1
 @pb-kg: As my witness, I am almost 50 years old, have worked in words my entire life, and have never understood beta to be synonymous with information gathering. I have never had anyone say to me “what’s the beta on…” or “do you have the beta on…”

I’m not upset about it. But it feels like the world is trying to gaslight me. Of course, I am always open to the idea that I’m the crazy one, or the one who is out of touch.
  • 1 1
 @TheR: Well, I'm 40, also "work in words" (whatever that means), and I have definitely come across the usage, so our anecdotal experiences sort of cancel each other out. It's common enough where there's a whole magazine named for that meaning. Terms come in and out of common usage, but the term's meaning as been around at least as long as 'beta-testing'. Backcountry skiers, mountaineers, and climbers (as stated before) use the term all the time. There's a LOT of data that has to be considered in those endeavors, so the nomenclature makes sense. MTB doesn't really have those types of variables that can mean life or death, so it's not used as much, but there's a lot of info about bikes to parse through at this point in the game, so I think it's a fitting name for a publication that aims to do so.

I guarantee you BETA and the people who have understood the term this way are not gaslighting you. You just didn't come across this usage in 50 years of life.
  • 3 1
 @pb-kg: Ok, all good… But even if the word is a thing, you yourself said it’s used more commonly in backcountry skiing, mountaineering and climbing, and not as much in mountain biking (I’d say never used in mountain biking, but whatever). So we go back to one of my original points: fine name for a climbing mag, but not so much for a mountain bike mag. Some (about a million other Pinkbike users and I) might say it’s a little out of touch. That’s all.
  • 1 2
 @TheR: Just because it's not commonly used for mtb doesn't mean it's not a valid word, or a fitting one for the application. Those other sports are pretty closely linked to ours, especially as it pertains to gear. There are so many unimaginative names for mtb publications taken already, BETA - a purveyor of information for our sport, fits quite nicely. I guess we'll just disagree.
  • 3 0
 @pb-kg: I guess you’re right in that it’s not an invalid word. I maintain my assertion that it’s not fitting in this application. You’re also right — we are just going to have to disagree here. Good luck with your publication!
  • 2 0
 @TheR: You are correct here--this is not a debate about the legitimacy of a term or the ensuing 'it is correct, everyone else is wrong' debate. It's about tone-deaf usage of a term where common parlance has an association with being an unfinished product, or undeveloped to full potential, i.e. "less than".

Commonly understood usage scenarios include playing a video game that is 'in beta' means you are accessing something that is not yet a finished product. Yes, quite literally in the 'information gathering' stage, but not associated with something you would typically pay for as it is not yet finished. If someone is referred to as a beta, that is universally understood to be a pejorative. Anyone who listens to a podcast or has access to the internet in 2022 understands the negative connotation.

You can follow a logical path to calling your publication "beta" and arrive at the destination still technically correct. However, this does not change the fact that it is a marketing nightmare, and a bit of a sniff-my-own-farts take on a name for a bike magazine.
  • 1 1
 @mikealive: I’m not arguing that it’s merely correct. I think it’s a great name for an mtb mag. It’s ridiculous to think that a bunch of moronic blowhards using “beta” as a derogatory term for the last half decade should have any say over its much older and still relevant usage.
  • 2 0
 @pb-kg: Sounds like a beta response. Perhaps you should gather more data and reformulate?

I hear ya, and totally agree--I love mornings, and am starting a magazine dedicated to waking up. Going to have lots of sunrise photos. Magazine name is going to be "Woke". I don't foresee there being any chance for misinterpretation. If there is, I'll blame it on the 'moronic blowhards' who are living in the present and have social awareness, because they are not observing the traditional meaning of the word.

(Wait until you hear about this field called Etymology. Really gonna blow your mind.)
  • 1 2
 @mikealive: Condescend all you want - it's hilarious to me that the people who incorporate that usage into their worldview mostly have no clue that the animal behavior theory it was born from was fatally flawed from the beginning, disproven time and time over, even by the man who first applied it. Yet they desperately cling to it as a trump card in a pissing contest that nobody else is having. But sure, call out the mtb mag for misusing the term.

Did you know that "literally" now also means "virtually" because a bunch of asshats kept using the word wrong? It's literally in Merriam-Webster. Fun.
  • 2 1
 @pb-kg: This really is a hill to die on for you, isn't it? That beta is somehow a great choice for a product name in 2022?

You have a great example with common usage of the word 'literally'--that one is a pet peeve of mine, so your point is well received. However, you're arguing how it *should* be, instead of how it is. This is old man yells at clouds territory. Next, will you take umbrage that all these 'asshats' use the word "cool" to signify something is good?

If beta the magazine had settled on that name 20 years ago, this might be a different conversation. As it stands, I bet my retirement that there has at least been a conversation about the name over at Outside HQ--the name Pinkbike too for that matter. Like it all you want on the high ground of being 'technically correct', doesn't change that the term beta has a negative connotation for a vast majority of people in 2022. Is what it is.
  • 2 1
 @mikealive: lol @ 'vast majority'. Nobody but the people who get giddy when they use it cares about that usage. It's definitely not the majority, let alone a vast one. Pretty sure the pejorative usage is mostly just the American right, and it's probably not even a majority of that segment that uses it. Beta MTB is an international mag, just a reminder.

What do you think is going to be around in 10 years, the fad-type usage of 'beta', or the one that's been around since 'beta-testing' became a thing? Plenty of usages fall out of favor, and this certainly smells like one of them to me. People will move on from 'beta', 'soy-boy', or whatever to something else. Beta isn't a word like 'sissy' that didn't have a non-pejorative meaning prior.

You're probably right, there probably were conversations about the name of the mag. I'm quite glad they didn't bend to your notion that they have to move out of the way for a pedantic insult born out of ignorance when the word fits their mission perfectly.
  • 3 1
 @pb-kg: And here I thought it just meant it was the second version of the magazine formally known as Bike. The beta version.

Bummer that a bunch of blowhard alphas think that beta is negative. Ironic that they are the only ones who feel that way.
  • 2 2
 @pb-kg: Jeeezus dude.. go touch some grass, lol. This is not about *me*, good god.

I'm making the point that "beta", as a name for a product, selected when again? 2019-ish? Was a poor selection because *currently* it has a negative connotation. This is what is called an *observation*. I'm not arguing that it couldn't have been selected, I'm not arguing that it was always a bad thing, I'm not arguing that it will always be a bad thing, holy shit. I'm speaking about the right now, and the uphill battle it presents from a marketing perspective...but keep the stance of 'well it shouldn't be that way, and anyone who thinks that is an uneducated dumb dumb'. Cool. This is not political, I don't know why you would attempt to make it as such.

You know what, you're right. The tiny lens you view the world through is all that counts and it's a great name for a magazine about bikes, I seriously dgaf.
  • 2 0
 I believe that products name has to be self-explanatory (ie. pinkbike or vitalmtb have crystal clear meaning, so does outside, dirtmag is a bit more ambigous but still points in the proper direction)... Beta in climbing, absolutely yes as its kind of point of the whole sport and everyone uses it everywhere! (for those who are not familiar with climbing, beta is a sequence of moves used to climb a route). I've never heard anyone using word beta in biking for the exception of Beta tools company so that name is just bad...
  • 1 1
 @mikealive: Gotta love how you're focused on an extremely narrow definition of a word, yet I'm the one being myopic. I can deal with the 'not a great name because it's more of a climbing term' argument, but not the 'not a great name because it's had a negative connotation for 5 minutes' one.
  • 2 0
 @pb-kg: ok.
  • 14 2
 I thought I filtered Beta?
  • 3 2
 Same, but PB is being cheeky and only tagged this thing "videos" for some reason.
  • 2 0
 Same
  • 16 6
 Welcome to the BETAVERSE.
  • 9 3
 Certainly, no one gives a shit.
  • 2 0
 As nice as it is to have community events - there used to be something really special about going to a "thing" to watch amazing content with a bunch of other people and be awes and inspired together. The early seasonal ski movies, the Banff film festival tour, La Nuit de la Glisse, all that. And some of that magic seems to have gotten lost in these days of readily available content 24/7, especially of the "thing" features stuff you've already seen online. Then again, we now get to share all that content with folks all the time, so that's kind of neat, too.
  • 2 0
 Posting live from the film festival in Sedona— lots of beautiful films shown tonight but the SiiHasin film was straight powerful. As much as I love the shredits there’s nothing better than seeing normal people on bikes, and riding for a cause no less. That was really really good, cheers!
  • 9 5
 Do I have to pay for it?
  • 10 0
 Only if you want to watch it.
  • 6 0
 It says "free entry". Do you mean you can enter for free but you have to pay to take off the blindfold?
  • 2 0
 Will this be available to watch online - Free or not ?
  • 1 0
 @rick26: last year’s films were all available thru the Beta paywall.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: under-rated comment.

I'm still salty about not getting all of the "Bike" magazines I paid when they decided to "transition".
  • 1 0
 How do i purchase this film compilation to screen at a local event??
  • 1 0
 Hey, send me a PM and we can discuss. Thanks.
  • 2 1
 Really nice Trailer Smile







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