Here at Sprites News and Reviews as well as at The Film Sprites we have the privilege of embracing our love of film every single day through our work. Often in the course of that work we come across a film that leaves more of an indelible mark than we ever thought possible; a story that encapsulates the power of film in a truly beautiful way. Druid Peak (written and directed by Marni Zelnick) is one of those films.

Sixteen-year-old Owen Wagner is a restless spirit, something which puts him at odds with his life in West Virginia and makes him act out in troublesome and violent ways. A tragic event will force his mother to ship him off to live with his father, Everett Gordon, a biologist working on Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction program. From a reluctant new beginning for Owen blooms a courageous spirit at one with the wolves and their surroundings and a renewed kinship with his father. But Owen’s commitment to the wolf packs that call Yellowstone their home will be tested when government policy regarding the hunting of wolves changes.

Read More

INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM SHOT ON LOCATION IN JACKSON HOLE WILL SCREEN AT THE ARTS CENTER THURSDAY, AUGUST 22ND!

Jackson, Wyo., August 20, 2013 – Druid Peak, a coming of age story about a troubled teenage boy who finds a home for himself tracking wolves in the wild lands of Wyoming, will have its first public screening this Thursday, August 22nd at the Jackson Hole Arts Center.  The screening is co-hosted by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, where the film is one of four finalists in the Best Theatrical category, and will be followed by a Q&A with Writer/Director Marni Zelnick and Executive Producer Maureen Mayer.

Shot on location in Jackson Hole, WY, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Mt. Hope WVa., and Heber Valley, UT, the film is the directorial debut for Zelnick and stars Andrew Wilson (Rushmore, The Royal Tennenbaums), Spencer Treat Clark (Much Ado About Nothing,Mystic River, Gladiator), Rachel Korine (Spring Breakers, Septien) and the wolves of Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife (White Fang, Into the Wild).

Originally from Great Falls, VA, Zelnick earned her MFA from NYU’s graduate film program.  She was the recipient of a $100,000.00 production grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for the Druid Peak script.  The Sloan Foundation supports film projects that feature science and technology, and Zelnick’s film takes on the challenging politics of Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction program.

A micro-budget project, Druid Peak relied heavily on the generosity of the communities portrayed in the film for the locations, cast, goods and services that made the project possible.  “We’re excited to bring the film home to the place that both inspired and created it,” said Zelnick.  The film is currently seeking distribution and will screen at festivals this Fall.