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SHORT WINGS: A Mt. Hood Fiction Ski Film
Amid a looming volcanic eruption on Mt. Hood, a skier chases their dream—and outruns destruction.
Short Wings is not your typical ski film. This speculative fiction freeride adventure follows professional skier Hank Stowers and friends as they embark on one last trip to Mt. Hood before the mountain disappears forever. With breathtaking freeride sequences, a story bigger than skiing, and a bold critique of the ski industry’s disregard for unique athlete narratives, this is unlike any ski film you’ve ever seen.
Directed by Hank Stowers and Finn Peterson, the creative duo known for Maritime Air and other works.
Stowers: "Short Wings is a convergence of my passion for skiing, and my wonder as a writer and lover of speculative fiction. This story is very personal to me; it reflects my belief that love for yourself and your community are the foundation of joy."
Peterson: "I took on Short Wings to challenge my creative habits as a filmmaker. I typically favor ephemeral visuals that concentrate on layering and patterns. In Short Wings, I worked from a script that laid out time in a way that required savoring frames and editing for emotion, not just for color, light, and texture."
Short Wings was made without a single dollar from corporate sponsors. We didn’t want anyone breathing down our necks, pressuring us to create something that was anything less than our most authentic offering. Instead, we pursued and were grateful to receive a small grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council’s Arts3c program, An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the creative economy in greater Portland by providing equitable funding and services to artists, creatives, and art organizations. This grant enabled us to afford the necessary resources, and hire some of our friends to help bring this project to life.
Thank you for taking the time to watch our film. We would be so grateful if you shared it with your friends and family.
Mt. Hood is an active volcano.
