SPOKANE, Wash. — A film shot in the Inland Northwest has captured Hollywood’s attention, earning four Academy Award nominations and bringing recognition to the region’s scenic beauty and filmmaking talent.
“Train Dreams” was set in Bonner’s Ferry and filmed throughout Eastern Washington in 2024. The production employed hundreds of local crew members from the Spokane area and showcased authentic regional locations.
The film tells an emotional story about the railroad building industry, a significant part of the region’s history. Production teams used various Inland Northwest locations, including the small town of Tekoa, where a sign reading “Bonner’s Ferry Mercantile” still stands as a reminder of the filming.
Dan Rosey, a local extra who works at the theater in Tekoa, said the experience exceeded expectations for his small hometown.
“I mean, the Inland Northwest is a beautiful, special place. It’s great because it’s where the story takes place too, so there’s that sense of authenticity,” Rosey said.
Marc Dahlstrom, local production supervisor for “Train Dreams,” said the region provided a natural fit for the film’s setting. Speaking outside the Spokesman Review building, which was featured in the movie along with the Davenport Hotel, Dahlstrom described the challenging but rewarding production process.
“When I saw it the first time at Sundance … I was blown away and proud. I was like, wow, this is really a good movie,” Dahlstrom said.
The film’s 20th-century setting made historic towns like Tekoa ideal locations. The local theater served as one of the featured backdrops, providing an authentic period atmosphere that impressed cast and crew.
“We’d never seen anything like this before. And watch the production and watch the takes after takes,” Rosey said.
Behind the scenes, local artists contributed specialized skills to bring the vision to life. Vincent De Felice, head scenic artist on the film, lead a team of artist on creating custom props.
“One of the things we needed to do was make fake stumps and trees. Because you can imagine they’re very heavy to move around in place,” De Felice said.
De Felice emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the pride local workers felt contributing to the larger project.
“We all play just a really small part towards a greater vision. And so that’s what is the great aspect about filming is, is you get to see all that come together to make a beautiful project,” he said.
While the filming wrapped in 2024, remnants of the production remain visible throughout the region, serving as lasting reminders of Hollywood’s visit to the Inland Northwest.
For residents like Rosey, the experience brought lasting joy to the community.
“Everybody’s smiling, and everybody’s having a good time. It’s just, yeah. It was terrific,” he said.
The film is currently available for viewing on Netflix. The Academy Awards ceremony will take place March 15, when “Train Dreams” will compete for its four nominations.
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