New Zealand has its own B-Fest: The Annual 24 Hour V Movie Marathon

From their press release:

Flying in the face of health professionals worldwide, New Zealand movie lovers are again being offered a chance to take part in a marathon that requires zero physical exertion but comes with a very real threat of dying.

The Annual 24 Hour V Movie Marathon returns for its ninth year and organiser Ant Timpson warns the sedentary participants, "that even though the marathon requires no cardio from attendees, they should never forget that death himself could be creeping up their leg during a movie."

Dr Royce Carruthers from Miskatonic University confirms Timpson's concern, "Research shows that movie marathoners are susceptible to blood clots, and in fact, one in eighty could experience deep vein thrombosis, especially if they are heavy smokers and are attending this movie marathon on a 747 thirty seven thousand feet in the air".

One regular attendee Steve Brough had this to say when confronted with a one in eighty chance of dying while watching a film at the marathon, "Well apart from cardiac arrest during sex, I can't think of a better way to die!"

The 24 Hour 'V' Movie Marathon offers adventurous audiences a mix of Blockbuster Premieres alongside some diabolical exploitation from the vault.

This year the Marathon is offering a 'Big Baby' ticket, one which cuts a break to those who fear death and want to arrive Sunday morning to just see approximately half the films for half the price. The only catch is that purchasers of the 'Big Baby' must wear a diaper and bib for the final 8 hours.

The 24 Hour Movie Marathon is presented with V energy drink , the long-term supporter of all things filmy in New Zealand.

If you happen to be reading this from New Zealand, you'll be pleased to note that there are two dates for the Marathon:

Auckland
Hollywood Cinema, Saturday Dec 6th, 2008

Wellington
Paramount Theatre, Saturday Dec 13th, 2008

Learn more at the Marathon web site.

Concessions Speech

Dave Stinton at The Simon ruminates about the food he's eaten in movie theaters, and along the way produces this gem about B-Fest and the fact that food is against the rules. It's probably the greatest unenforced rule ever.

Technically, you’re not supposed to bring food into the theatre. But this rule is a quaint little relic that brings wistful smiles to the faces of audience members laden down with coolers. “There’s no outside food allowed in this room,” the host will announce, yelling to be heard over the rustles of hundreds of bags of Doritos.

Read more about B-Fest and the rest of Stinton's Concessions Speech.

B-Fest 2008 Schedule Revealed

Does it hurt that I can't go to B-Fest this year?

Yes. Yes it does.

B-Fest tickets still available

If you're tuned in to the B-Fest web site, you know that tickets to the annual event went on sale yesterday. Because of the increased coverage and internet hype about B-Fest tickets have become a precious commodity. Two years ago, the festival sold out in two days. Last year, the event sold out in just a few hours. This year, in an interesting reversal of the trend, there are still tickets available today. (I just called the box office a little before 1 p.m. CST.)

There are any number of reasons for the decline in demand for tickets (last year's controversial lineup, the earlier on-sale date, attendees discouraged by the recent years' scarcity of seats) but I'm curious to see how long it takes before the last seat is sold. Today? Tomorrow? Next week?