‘Come Find Us’ finds the Wilma

Montana's very name is derived from the Spanish word meaning mountain country. Residents in Montana are proud of it, and when the snow falls people jump at the opportunity to play in the mountains.

Until that happens, though, people are content to watch ski film after ski film to help bide their time.

The University of Montana's Programming and Recreation 230 class is working with Toy Soldier Productions out of Bozeman to bring the most talked about ski-film this year, "Come Find Us," to the Wilma tonight at 7. Tickets are $8 in advance at Edge of the World skate shop and Gull Ski, or $10 at the door.

Toy Soldier Productions started when a group of film students at MSU decided to start making movies together. "Come Find Us," a high-definition ski and snowboard film, is becoming their hit of the year — premiering all over Montana, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Idaho and South Dakota.

According to Shane Dowaliby of Toy Soldier Productions, and one of the filmers on the project, the film is devoted to revealing what he called a slightly overlooked freestyle talent and the  vast hidden terrain of Montana.

"Montanans have a special connection to each other," Dowaliby said. "When Toy Soldier Productions got together we wanted to make a movie about Montana and do the Montana thing. Originally we thought it would just premiere at a bar, but we've got a really positive response, not only in Montana, but the entire ski industry."

Dowaliby said 1,400 people showed up to the world premiere in Bozeman, and Missoula's showing is supposed to be the second largest premiere in the state.

Amanda Tulip, with the programming and recreation class, said she is glad to be a part of the group bringing the film to town. The class is charged with thinking of four different events that could raise money for the UM backcountry club. The class has also taught outdoor skills to kids, organized a carnival for kids, hosted  a soapbox derby, and finally is bringing "Come Find Us." to Missoula.

Many in Tulip's group are skiers and had heard of the film before pitching the idea to the class.

"It's really funny because you usually don't want to do homework, but this is real. It's not something you can just put off," Tulip said. "It's kind of unbelievable, actually. It's more than a ski movie, it's our culture too."

Mike Scanlon, from Bozeman, has watched the film more than 20 times since the Bozeman premier. He said he still gets goosebumps at the end of the film. Scanlon said the movie has such a feel-good vibe that he doesn't think anyone would dislike it. He said people were even in tears at the Bozeman premiere.

"It's unbelievable the level of talent Montana skiers and boarders have that goes unnoticed," Scanlon said. "The movie makes me feel so proud to live here."

The movie is filmed in places all over Montana: Bozeman, Big Sky, Whitefish, Helena, Butte, the Beartooth Highway near Red Lodge and Lost Trail Powder Mountain.

"You will recognize names, faces and places in the film," Dowaliby said. "TSP's goal is to put Montana on the map by showing a variety of as much talent as possible in Montana, rather than sticking to a rider's list as many ski films do. No one was off limits."

emerald.gilleran@umontana.edu