I've always been fascinated by the unique landscape of southern Utah, with its dramatic vistas and rugged beauty. As a film student studying in southern Utah, I want to capture this essence on screen, and what better way to do so than through an American Western? I have noticed a lack of female-led Westerns, especially those focusing on cowgirls, so I was inspired to create a story that pays homage to the strong and independent women who rode the range.

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My inspiration for this film came from a photo of a woman called "Nellie Brown," whose actual name we do not know. She was an African American cowgirl from the 1880s. Her picture was inspirational as I found her image to emanate courage, resilience, and determination, and it's these qualities that I wanted to capture in my own film. While my story is fictional, it is rooted in the spirit of "Nellie Brown" and the many other women like her who paved the way for women in the west.

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My film follows two young women as they navigate the challenges and obstacles of finding their place in the Wild West. But it's not a story about their adventures - it's a story about their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. In an era where women's roles were often predetermined, my protagonists dare to be different, forging their own paths and discovering who they are.

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Through my film, I hope to capture the beauty and complexity of human relationships, as well as the struggle for individuality and self-discovery, against the stunning backdrop of Southern Utah's landscape. I want my film to be a reminder that even in the most challenging times, we have the power to shape our own destinies and create our own paths.

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-McKenna Murphy