Press Release
WESTCLIFFE, Colorado
—November 16, 2020
Award-winning journalist, writer, and photographer Christoph Stopka recently announced his short film “Clouds and Beyond” was included in “The Best Short Films in the World” by Discover.Film,
the world’s best platform for free quality, short-form entertainment.
Filmed entirely in and around the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado, this film highlights the awe-inspiring power of nature, as demonstrated by clouds, set among Westcliffe’s
breathtaking mountain landscapes. Scenes range from lightning flashing in dramatic evening clouds to nightfall with the glowing Milky Way gently illuminating the nocturnal sky.

“It took more than three years to capture the footage for this film. I spent quite a bit of time getting hammered by storms, had numerous encounters with lightning bolts hitting way too close, and spent many cold nights on meadows and in the forest, trying to film time lapses of the Milky Way. But in the end, it was all worth it, especially, because I am able to showcase this incredible area, the Wet Mountain Valley, to the rest of the world. From its massive mountains to the always dramatic cloud formations and the clear, unpolluted night sky, this valley is extraordinary in so many ways. To be able to share the beauty of this unique place with people from all around the world through the platform of Discover.Film is extremely rewarding,” says Stopka.
“Clouds and Beyond” is available for free on Discover.Film or via the Discover.Film app, which can be download from Google Play, App Store, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. The Discover.Film app is also embedded in Huawei handsets, which includes 100 million phones used in 28 countries.
The short film will also be available as in-flight-entertainment on many top airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, American Airlines, and more, as well as entertainment while traveling on Europe’s only high-speed train, the famed Eurostar.

All in all, Discover.Film states they reach more than 190 countries.
The newly opened Custer County Welcome Center, located in Westcliffe at 107 3rd St, will showcase the film in the media room.
Interested parties can stop in to view the 13 minute
film on a wide-screen TV. Only four people are currently allowed in the building at one time due to social distancing measures.
“Watching Clouds and Beyond is absolutely mesmerizing! It is so cool to see clouds in motion like that. Christoph has captured the beauty and magic all in one short film. I can watch it over and over again,” says Deb Adams, Custer County Tourism Board Chairperson.
To learn more about Christoph Stopka, visit christophstopka.com.
To contact the Custer County Welcome Center to schedule a viewing of the film, visit : visitwetmountainvalley.com/contact.