Private Project

West Winds

West Winds follows our anonymous Jane Doe as they arrive at a beach where the steady flow of the west winds keeps the air clean from an ice-nine like toxic air. Before she can decide whether or not to stay, the tide comes in and takes her gas mask, forcing her to stay in this cove indefinitely. As the days go on, washed up supplies start to diminish and isolation becomes emotionally draining as she realizes her options of survival are limited.

At her darkest moment something enters her life; a stray dog. Their connection quickly brings joy and purpose to her life as this dog becomes a buoy of hope for someone who had none. Reminding them of what it means to be alive.

  • Matthew Thomas Ross
    Director
    Anomaly, Two Ships
  • Matthew Thomas Ross
    Writer
    Anomaly, Two Ships
  • Tessa Ribitch
    Producer
    Anomaly, Two Ships
  • Matthew Thomas Ross
    Producer
    Anomaly, Two Ships
  • Paulius Kontijevas
    Producer
    Anomaly, Two Ships
  • Holland Andrews
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Sci-fi
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 9, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    5,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 47th Annual Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
    Boston, MA
    United States
    February 19, 2022
    Official Selection
  • 11th Annual McMinville Short Film Festival
    McMinville, Oregon
    United States
    February 12, 2022
    Grand Jury Award Nomination
  • 12th Annual Tacoma Film Festival
    Tacoma, Washington
    United States
    October 12, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection 2021
  • Fantasy Sci-Fi Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    November 9, 2021
    Official Selection, Best Direction Award
Director Biography - Matthew Thomas Ross

For the past 14 years Matthew has been establishing himself as a director of music videos in the local Portland music scene. His videos are known for being narrative driven. He frequently works with the bands Typhoon & Sallie Ford. His most recent project was a music & video collaboration with Kyle Morton of Typhoon entitled Book of Matches which was premiered on NPR Music’s website.

Matthew’s first short film Two Ships premiered at the 2016 Portland Film Festival and more. Matthew's second short film Anomaly, also had it's premiere there in 2018. He also is a freelance director & editor for various types commercial video shoots.

Matthew’s love & fascination with filmmaking began when he saw Jurassic Park in the theaters when he was 8 years old. All throughout middle/high school Matthew would make videos with his parent’s camera. After High School, Matthew briefly attended film school in California but dropped out the first year not feeling like it was the right fit for him and moved back to Oregon.

He's currently writing his first feature film with hopes to begin production in 2022.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Greetings viewer,

West Winds is a story about seeking refuge from toxicity while struggling with depression, loneliness, and trying to find hope when there is none in sight. Sometimes levity and connection arrive in unexpected forms, reminding us what it means to be alive.

The seeds of West Winds began during a dark Oregon winter in 2016; the mists of depression surrounded me and the vast ocean of loneliness had me feeling like the only person on earth. At these darkest moments, my dog Niles would be right by my side creating an oasis of unconditional love that I so desperately needed. This film takes you through a range of emotion that can happen in ones life; but above all else I hope it reminds you that even on our darkest days and moments in life, we can reflect back and find the bright spots that brought us joy, even if for a fleeting moment.

This short film was written in 2016, filmed in 2018, but has now found even more relevance in this world today. This last year was a dark one and made a lot of us feel like there is no hope. You are not alone in this darkness; our eyes will adjust, some quicker than others, and we will find that light, sooner or later.

This is my love letter to my dog Niles and all our friends who save us.

Matthew Thomas Ross
writer/director of West Winds