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BOULDER - Local filmmakers Chad Weber and Steve Vanderheide never set out to create a feature-length film when they began a film project with ultra-runner Dreama Walton. But much like in running, once you’ve signed up for a race, you’ve got to try to finish. One step at a time. Two years later their film is making noise at the film festival circuit, bringing home multiple awards in its first festival weekend.
“Dreama Team” tells the story of mom, IT employee, and hobbyist runner Dreama Walton and her journey to compete in America’s biggest 100 mile race: The Western States 100.
The film explores Dreama’s backstory, the value of “struggle” in one’s life and how hardships shape the way we view obstacles. Dreama finds strength from an unexpected community around her.
The film premiered in July in Colorado Springs and has since screened at multiple film festivals. During its first U.S. weekend, the film won “Best Documentary” at Horsetooth Fest in Fort Collins, “Best Feature Documentary” at the Winter Park Film Festival, and the “Made in Colorado” award at the Four Corners Film Festival in New Mexico. Dreama Team has been selected for multiple film festivals since, including the Breckenridge Film Festival.
One viewer from the Winter Park Film Festival shared their reaction:
“Dreama Team is an inspirational story whether you are a runner, a mom, a sister or a daughter. This is a beautifully filmed, captivating film about the incredibly unique sport of ultra running. But it's so much more - about the why, the how, and the commitment to achieve something that many of us struggle to understand, let alone try. Dreama feels like any one of us - but there is a fire inside of her that inspires us to be better in all aspects of our lives - a must see” - Joann Bull.
The film was an independent production from Longmont’s Weber and Lakewood’s Vanderheide and their first feature documentary. The Colorado filmmakers initially set out to create a 10 minute short film about Dreama. However, after conducting Dreama’s interview and securing funds to travel to the Western States 100 race in California to cover the race, a larger story revealed itself.
“There are so many parallels to ultra-running, it gets cheesy real quick,” said co-director Chad Weber. “You don’t know what you’re signing up for when you enter a race but once you’re in it, you’ve got to try and finish. You can’t think about the end of a 100-mile race or the end of a feature documentary because it's too daunting. You just have to take it one step at a time, always moving forward. And it takes other people to help you along the way to accomplish these difficult things.”
On Oct. 19, the film will screen for the first time in Boulder at Colorado Chautauqua. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the film beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Q&A will be held with Dreama and the filmmakers afterwards.
More information can be found at https://www.chautauqua.com/event/dreama-team-the-story-of-ultra-runner-and-mom-dreama-walton/
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