In 1984 a new film subgenre was born – the ski comedy. From Ski Patrol to Aspen Extreme, Ski School to Better Off Dead, the list of classics goes on and on…until it doesn’t. In the ever-changing Hollywood shuffle the genre has been lost as of late, but certainly not forgotten by legions of fans worldwide. No better time than the present for resurrection.
Our feature, Weak Layers, is a progressive throwback to the cult classics. A female-driven ski comedy set at Lake Tahoe that follows three passionate and lovably rowdy local women on a quest to win a world famous 72-hour short ski film competition. The film dissects modern ski culture while championing the tight-knit local communities found in ski towns the world throughout. If ever there was an ode to mountain town life, this is it.
The film is directed by and stars Katie Burrell (Dream Job, Coach), a trailblazing auteur in the mountain sports comedy world. Her breakout film, Dream Job, was an international theatrical success and sold to Amazon Studios, and cemented her status as darling of the outdoor sports world. Realizations Films (Buried, Disrupted, United States of Insanity) is the Tahoe-based production company behind the project, and dedicated to highlighting mountain culture and community in cinema. Their most recent feature film project, Buried, highlighting the story behind the 1982 avalanche at Alpine Meadows, was commercially released in late 2022 and now available on Netflix.
ShAFF: Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival has a well earned reputation for being a friendly festival, welcoming everyone whether you're an outdoors enthusiast or an armchair adventurer who just loves a good story.
Year 2026
Duration
1h 31m