Four short films and fourteen trailers competed in “The White Room,” the first annual Wasatch Winter Film Festival. In a viewers’ choice format, festival attendees voted for their favorite films at the conclusion of the night.

Taking first place in the short program was “metamorphosis” from Gambrelli Layco of Salt Lake City. The film featured backcountry skiing and riding in the Wasatch and other western mountain ranges, replete with a final sand skiing segment. This well-produced fourteen-minute film combined smooth action and stunning scenery with a mesmerizing soundtrack. According to Mike Sharp, festival director, metamorphosis won “by a landslide.” The film was “an attempt to make a video to which most every skier/rider could relate,” added Layco. “It was just a bunch of ‘old’ skiers in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s, with mortgages and day jobs, and an undying appreciation for the incomparable backyard we all share.”

Taking first in the Trailer Category was “Kidz” by Spencer Stuard, a senior at Park City High School and veteran of their film curriculum. With perhaps the best lead-in of any film submission, the it was filmed almost entirely in the park and pipe at Park City Mountain Resort over three years ago, featuring many local youth that have since made it big. This black and white film featured multiple cameras rolling on select sequences, special effects, and a mellow soundtrack, setting it apart from the typical jib film. “I have been making movies ever since the 5th grade, when I stole my mom's video camera. I learned how to edit my 6th grade summer. I made “Kidz” for a school project my freshman year,” says Stuard. “My vision for the project was to slow down skiing and really show some of the smaller details. The slow air time and constant contrast and saturation changes actually go with the action of the skier to emphasize certain features or actions. Mainly it was just a fun day of skiing with some of my friends.”

Chris Matye of Brown Dog Productions deserves a special mention for a close second in the trailer category with his film “Snowbird 2004,” in conjunction with a second entry called “Kirkwood 2004.” This first film, with footage from the U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, and expertly put to music, took you through the prelims, first day, and finals of this annual big mountain competition. Clearly a deep powder day, Matye’s spectacular footage captured athletes billy-goating around technical features, making full throttle turns in the “fields of glory,” and launching big air. “Snowbird 2004” demonstrated what the world’s best skiers are capable of when conditions cooperate. The first part of “Kirkwood 2004” demonstrated the polar opposite in terms of conditions, and crash sequences. Viewers winced and were overheard muttering things such as “Oh, that’s not right!” during the opening sequence, as big mountain skiers desperately tried to hold on for dear life on boilerplate snow. Failure to hold an edge resulted in violent crashes into the rocky outcroppings prevalent in California’s volcanic Sierra Nevada. Had there been a category for “best crash sequence” this would have taken the prize.

In attendance at The White Room were representatives from two other action sports film festivals. Brian Wimmer, director of X-Dance Film Festival had this to say: “In the Action Sports World it's important to acknowledge the filmmakers, without which there would be no stars or heroes. X-Dance is joined by “The White Room” in promoting this cause.” X-Dance is an action sports film festival held in Park City during Sundance. This year it will be January 20-24 in Park City Mall on Main Street.

The four founders of the Cold Smoke Awards made a special trip down from Montana for The White Room. Now in its third year, Cold Smoke bills itself as the “Academy awards of ski and snowboard films.” This year’s event takes place April in Bozeman.

Both festivals agree that many of the films at The White Room are worthy of inclusion in their own events. The winning entries from Layco and Stuard, and select other entries from the likes of Matye, will be invited to compete in Cold Smoke and X-Dance. Park City Television is also interested in showing these films, and FreeRide hopes to assemble a highlight reel that will be available later this winter.

The White Room was a fundraiser for the Utah Avalanche Center and Youth Winter Sports Alliance. Shelley Gillwald, executive director of the later, remarked “A handful of our athletes and their parents were able to show their stuff through Freeride's “The White Room” Wasatch Winter Film Festival. FreeRide is doing an incredible job on behalf of our winter sport community and their efforts are truly appreciated.”

The White Room hopes to add several more categories for next year’s event, with separate programs for slideshows, athlete promos, and industry promos. There will also be a distinction between purely amateur and more professional “pro-am” films. Additional venues and days will be added so viewers can choose the categories they’d like to view. One thing is for sure: The White Room will continue to feature local amateur talent and the filmmakers who capture it.

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