Update: We DO have the teaster now, and it is looking really good. Go watch it, and head over to blickinsfreie.de to donate towards the movie!

He Wei is stoked. Photo: Danny Otto

„Sleeping Giants“ – World’s first crowdfunded snowboard documentary

Have you ever heard about crowdfunding? No!? Well, „Sleeping Giants“ is worlds first snowboard movie which is partly realized by its own fans, you! The teaser is finished but there is still a lack of budget for the post-production to fill. Fans can choose various kinds of support and get interesting rewards for their donation.

So don´t wait, support the project for example with 5 Euro and get the movie as high definition download delivered as christmas present earlier as regular non-backers will be able to watch it

It happened more or less on accident when filmmaker René Eckert (www.blickinsfreie.de ) decided to create a new snowboard documentary in 2011. With the unique chance to visit China, Eckert decided to use that opportunity to realize Blickinsfreie´s new masterstroke. The movie is presented by our long term partner Ripzone Europe (www.ripzone-europe.de ).

Nils Arvidsson jumps through the Iron Curtain. Photo: Danny Otto

After movies like “From Romania with Love“ or last year’s highlight “At Equilibrium“ the new movie deals with the development of snowboarding in China. The documentary focuses on the passion-driven Chinese shredders and the key role of the Nanshan Open snowboard competition which has driven the young Chinese scene to become one of the most progressive out there.

Besides Chinese stars including Wang Lei and He Wei, legends such as Travis Parker and Risto Mattila join shooting stars Nils Arvidsson, Marc Swoboda and Werni Stock to give a deep insight into the snowboard culture of the Far East.

Like in the last years, the movie will be premiered during a world – wide premiere tour kicking off in October 2011 in Beijing (China) followed by the release of the movie as High Definition download around Christmas 2011.

Those ones of you that always wanted to know how subcultures like snowboarding develop in a world where Facebook or Myspace is banned, should make sure to visit one of the premiere stops or get ready for the movie as HIGH DEFINITION DOWNLOAD at Christmas 2011.

Blickinsfreie is asking fans to actively support the post-production of „Sleeping Giants“. Since this movie project got just partly funded by sponsoring, Blickinsfreie is aiming to fund the lack of budget in post-production by innovative crowdfunding. People that appreciate this project have the opportunity to support the post-production through the different donation options on the left hand side of this website. Unique rewards like HIGH DEFINITION DOWNLOADS to HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO SERIES or ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTERS are waiting to be given to the backers.

„Sleeping Giants“ fans on Facebook will be rewarded with free access to one of our movies.

Information: http://blickinsfreie.de/films/in-production/sleeping-giants/sleeping-giants.html

https://www.facebook.com/sleeping.giants.themovie

Steve Zdarsky and crew at the Nanshan Open. Photo: Danny Otto

Contract rider Kamel Honcz Getting Amongst It

To be honest, parties after 3am and everything east of the Dachstein glacier usually gets kind of hazy. And this despite the fact that things can be quite awesome once you get there. Take the Polish board makers Contract Snowboards: Though still hard to get by over here their gear is above par and many an Eastern European shredhead rocks their planks. Their busy marketing department just dropped us a line telling us that they are supporting René Eckert’s upcoming documentary on Bulgaria. The action will take place in Borovetz, Bansko, Osogovo and Sofia and feature local riders as well as some other European snowboarders. Check out these shots from the filming action.

Flying the flag of Slo... Rom.. Eastern Europe, yo!

If we did our maths correctly this will be his fourth snowboard movie project on Eastern Europe (after Poland 2007, Slovakia 2008, and From Romania with Love 2009). Not so coincidentally, he is also the other man behind the Breathe-documentary (with Drew Stevenson being man number one). More information on his oeuvre here. But before I digress any further let’s just say that all movies mentioned are worth watching. Unfortunately, it is way too early for any sort of teaser for the Bulgaria project. To keep you as distracted as possible we decided to post the Romania teaser from earlier this season instead.

Kamel one-footed!

More information at www.contractsnowboards.com.