“The Ballad of the Westwind Kid” Rides into the Utah International Film Festival

The Utah International Film Festival is set to showcase a tale of the Wild West in “The Ballad of the Westwind Kid.” Directed and written by Micah Gándola, the film draws inspiration from the eponymous song by the band Brumby, creating a narrative that explores the complexities of friendship and redemption.

The story follows a small-town sheriff, portrayed by Matt Dougal, who confronts his past when he harbors an old friend, played by Ethan Kartchner, on the run. As the sheriff faces his own demons, the film weaves a gripping narrative against the backdrop of the Western genre.

Micah Gándola revealed that the initial spark for the story came from attending a Brumby concert in northern California during high school. “It was years before I had the chance and the story went through some pretty serious changes, but the core DNA is still there from the song” said Gándola.

One of the standout areas of the production was the collaboration with a stellar cast.  Gándola expressed his admiration for working with the actors. 

“We really got lucky with an amazing cast. As the film started to take shape, a lot of it became very personally applicable to some of the core cast and myself, so a lot of the shooting days felt more like therapy sessions, and we happened to be making a movie in between.”

“The Ballad of the Westwind Kid” to life wasn’t without challenges. Gándola highlighted the unique hurdles faced while making a Western funded and produced by a university. Overcoming constraints related to guns, children, and animals, the production team also had to work within the unpredictable weather. 

“The biggest unexpected hurdle came while shooting at our western town location. We could only afford one day at the town and we had a lot to shoot, most of which were some of our most important scenes. The day started out beautifully, if a bit windy, but, by midday, the weather turned bad and we were essentially working through a blizzard. We knew it was the only time we had, so the crew showed some real grit and we got the shots we needed despite the fact. Later, while we were watching dailies, it became abundantly clear that everything we’d shot in the second half of the day was unusable, as it wouldn’t edit together with the sunny shots we’d gotten in the morning. Luckily, the footage was enough to get us a bit more funding and work out a deal with the location to shoot another day. We still ended up having to use one shot from our snow day, see if you can figure out which one.”

When asked about what he would do differently if given the chance to go back, Gándola asserted that he wouldn’t change a thing. He acknowledged the learning experience and the invaluable collaboration with a talented crew, emphasizing the importance of going through the entire filmmaking process.

“Maybe there were things we could have done better, but I’m lucky to have been able to work with such a talented crew and I’m proud of the film we made. I’m sure there were missteps I could have avoided or things I could have made easier on myself, but I never could have gained the experience I did without going through the whole process. Now on to the net one.”

For aspiring filmmakers, Gándola’s advice is simple: “Just go make stuff!” He encourages individuals to explore various roles in filmmaking, recognizing the diverse skill sets needed for a successful production. Gándola emphasizes the fulfillment found in the business side of filmmaking and urges aspiring creatives to discover their niche within the industry.

“If you are interested in working on films, there is some niche that your skillset can fill.”

As for future projects, Gándola, who prefers a limited online presence, mentioned that updates may be shared on Instagram and Facebook. However, he welcomes direct conversations at festivals or events as the easiest way to stay informed about his upcoming work.

“The Ballad of the Westwind Kid” is an official selection in the Utah International Film Festival February 12-17 and will screen at Maven Cinemas in American Fork, UT.