5Point bringing films to Aspen teaser Thursday

The 5Point Film Festival has earned a reputation for bringing outdoor adventure films that tell a story and inspire rather than simply provide eye candy for adrenaline junkies (see related story above).

But it’s also been known to feature sad stories and tales filled with adversity. This year, the staff is going for films about people following their passion and leading the life well-lived, Executive Director Sarah Wood said.

5Point’s flagship festival is held in Carbondale each April, but for the past four years has also thrown a midwinter, one-night teaser in Aspen. 5Point rolls into the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday with the screening of at least 10 films.

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One of the highlights, Wood said, is the film “Eclipse,” about an expedition to the edge of Earth to view a total solar eclipse in the Arctic. The odds favored bad weather obscuring the rare event March 25, and it was certain that the group would battle frigid temperatures and winds. Nevertheless, the Salomon Freeski TV team took the chance to try to achieve photographer Reuben Krabbe’s vision to capture a unique image of a skier with the eclipse as the backdrop.

The weather gods smiled on the expedition. Krabbe got a stunning shot that was named Powder magazine’s photo of the year.

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The story unfolds in a 30-minute film. Krabbe will make a guest presentation at the Aspen screening, as will Brody Leven, ski mountaineer and writer, and Anthony Bonello, director and cinematographer.

Wood said the film was selected by 5Point because it exemplifies perseverance and determination. Krabbe researched the rare opportunities to capture skiers during the solar eclipse and pursued it despite long odds.

“It’s just an example of going for it,” she said.

Other films at the Aspen teaser convey the same sentiment of following dreams, she said. 5Point’s goal has always been to inspire — not necessarily to undertake some incredible outdoor adventure but to live your life better and with passion, Wood said.

The Aspen event’s mission is threefold. First, it’s a hell of a good time. In addition to the screenings and presentations, there will be beverages to buy from event sponsor Sierra Nevada and snacks starting with an opening reception at 6 p.m. There also will be a Gear Pile Giveaway featuring a “Pick Your Kit” deal from Outdoor Research, a Yeti 65 Cooler, gift certificates from Aspen Expeditions and Ute Mountaineer and a two-day ski pass from Aspen Skiing Co.

Second, the event kicks off the 2016 Dream Project. Five scholarships of $1,500 will be awarded to high school students from Aspen to Parachute to help them pursue a project. Past winners have done everything from leading youth backpacking in the Aspen-area wilderness to kayaking and performing malaria work in Uganda.

Third, the event is a fundraiser to help the nonprofit 5Point Film get through its fiscal year.

“Money is tight until our sponsorships come in,” Wood said.

scondon@aspentimes.com