The Journey of “Ullberg: Wind in the Sails” – A Film That Changed Us
Kent Ullberg has lived in Corpus Christi for nearly 50 years, yet many people who walk past his sculptures every day have no idea he’s their neighbor. His art is woven into the identity of the city—massive, breathtaking wildlife sculptures that stand as landmarks. And yet, his story was untold.
That’s where our journey began.
Why This Film?
I believe that making a film should change you in some way. If you aren’t moved by the story you’re telling, how can you expect an audience to be? That’s why Kent Ullberg—not just as an artist, but as a person — was a story we knew was worth telling.
Kent’s relentless resilience, his ability to push through rejection and to bend his will toward his passion for nature and art, struck me deeply. His life embodies the never-give-up mentality that I admire, and making this film only deepened my appreciation for that mindset.
As Hemingway once said, “No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” I believe the same is true for filmmaking. And this story has surprised and inspired me in ways I never could have predicted.
The Biggest Challenge: Making It Happen
Independent filmmaking is not for the faint of heart. You start with a vision, but no money. In the beginning, we had almost nothing. But we made the decision to move forward anyway—because we believed in the story.
And something happened.
As we proved we were worthy of telling Kent’s story—by shooting early footage, crafting a compelling vision, and showing that we could bring it to life—money started to come in. Investors, grants, and individual donors saw the work and understood why it needed to be finished.
Most recently, at a private screening, we received a $10,000 donation—a game-changer that opened the door for larger organizations to take interest. The momentum is building.
Today, we’ve raised about 60% of our initial budget goal, and we’re actively working to secure the final funding through foundation and grant support, as well as individual donations. But beyond finishing the film, we’re now tackling the biggest financial hurdle of all: distribution.
What’s Next?
We’re entering one of the most exciting and critical phases of this project—getting “Ullberg: Wind in the Sails” in front of audiences.
Texas Broadcast: We have early interest in a Texas-based series broadcast (details to be announced once secured).
Film Festivals: We’re deep into festival submission season, working to get the film accepted into high-profile and niche festivals that align with art, wildlife, and documentary storytelling.
Community Screenings: We’re setting up private and public screenings to raise awareness, garner support, and continue building our audience.
But beyond these immediate next steps, we have a broader goal in mind: this film is just the beginning. We hope that “Ullberg: Wind in the Sails” will resonate deeply enough to not only succeed as a film but also fuel future projects.
Why This Matters (And How You Can Help)
More than anything, we want this film to reach as large an audience as possible. We want art lovers, conservationists, and everyday people to see Kent’s journey and be moved by it. And we want to get it onto a platform that fits our niche—art and wildlife conservation.
But that takes resources. Preparing a film for distribution is the most expensive part of the indie filmmaking process.
That’s where you come in.
If this story resonates with you, if you believe in independent film and the power of art, you can help us by:
Following the film’s journey
Sharing it with your network
Supporting our distribution fundraising efforts
Stay Connected
We’re documenting every step of this process—from festivals to distribution hurdles to what we’re learning along the way. If you’re a fan of filmmaking, wildlife art, or just love a great underdog story, we’d love to have you join us on this journey.
Website: Griffyn & Co
Instagram: @griffyn.co
YouTube: Griffyn Co
And if you’d like to help us bring this film to the world, we are still accepting donations to support our marketing and distribution push. Any amount makes a difference.
This story has already changed us. We hope it changes you, too.
Let’s bring Ullberg: Wind in the Sails to the world.
— Matthew & Denise
