I Won Best Short Film at Lookout Wild Film Festival
Filmmaking is a wild ride.
You pour everything into a story with long hours of planning, shooting in remote locations, and even longer nights in the editing room. And after months (or sometimes years) of work, you release it into the world, vulnerably hoping it resonates with people.
That’s why winning Best Short Film at the Lookout Wild Film Festival for Unseen Peaks is such an incredible honor. I don’t do what I do because of the recognition but knowing that the story I spent so much time crafting connected with an audience in a meaningful way is so heart-warming. It inspires me to keep creating.
The Solitude of Filmmaking
A lot of my films are made in solitude.
I direct, produce, film, and edit many of my projects myself, Unseen Peaks included. That means I spend long days out in the field, chasing light, filming on a gimbal while skiing, and capturing moments that I hope will translate on screen. Then, I retreat indoors and spend weeks (or months) in front of a computer, reworking scenes, adjusting pacing, and fine-tuning sound design, all in an effort to bridge the gap between what I experienced firsthand and what an audience might feel watching it.
It’s a process filled with trial and error. Some days, everything clicks. Other days, I wonder if I’m on the right path.
And that’s why moments like this - when one of the biggest outdoor film festivals in the U.S. recognizes the work - are so meaningful. Not just as validation, but as a reminder that the long, lonely hours are worth it.
The Power of Storytelling in the Outdoors
My acceptance speech from home since I couldn’t attend the festival in-person
Unseen Peaks is about the deep connection we share with wild places, the untold stories of landscapes that often go unnoticed, and the personal journeys that unfold in the mountains.
I believe the most impactful outdoor films aren’t just about adrenaline or achievement. They’re about something deeper we experience as humans. The emotions that come with pushing limits, the quiet moments between the big moments, and the relationships we form with the places we explore.
Winning this award personally reinforces the importance of telling stories that inspire people to see the outdoors differently.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
I’m beyond grateful to the Lookout Wild Film Festival for showcasing my work and to everyone who took the time to watch Unseen Peaks.
Filmmaking, at its core, is about connection. And while much of the creative process happens in isolation, the ultimate goal is to share something that resonates with others.
This award is a huge honor, but more than anything, it’s motivation to keep pushing forward, keep telling meaningful stories, and keep finding ways to bring the unseen to life.
On to the next adventure!
Let’s Connect
Roo is an Emmy nominated commercial/documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Boulder, Colorado but travels all around the world for his filmmaking career. He has directed documentaries for Patagonia in California, produced films for Outside Magazine throughout Europe and Africa, camera operated for Netflix in the Rocky Mountain West, photographed among indigenous communities in South America, and has received notable recognition in the outdoor industry for his work telling uplifting character-driven stories.