King of the Mountain

a film by Rod Cooper & Nate Bernard

A documentary about America’s second oldest race, its drivers and the treacherous journey up one of it's tallest mountains, Pikes Peak.

Order the film here

King of the Mountain

a film by Rod Cooper & Nate Bernard

A documentary about America’s second oldest race,
its drivers and the treacherous journey up one of it's tallest mountains, Pikes Peak.

Order the film here

KOTM Trailer

KOTM teaser

King of the Mountain is a documentary about America’s second oldest race, its drivers and the treacherous journey up one of its tallest mountains, Pike’s Peak.

“This film brings you straight into the driver's mind of one of the most extreme and unique races in the world. Simply fantastic!"

Robin Shute 4x Pikes Peak Hill Climb King of the Mountain

"A fantastic look at what it takes to be the king of the mountain."

Paul Dallenbach 3x Pikes Peak Hill Climb King of the Mountain

“This film brings you straight into the driver's mind of one of the most extreme and unique races in the world. Simply fantastic!"

Robin Shute 4x Pikes Peak Hill Climb King of the Mountain

"A fantastic look at what it takes to be the king of the mountain."

Paul Dallenbach 3x Pikes Peak Hill Climb King of the Mountain

Inspiration for King of the Mountain

“People need to climb the mountain not simply because it is there. But because the soulful divinity needs to be mated with the spirit.”
-The Dalai Lama

King of the Mountain, a feature documentary exploring the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb captures the essence of this Dalai Lama quote regarding racing up this Colorado Mountain known as America’s Mountain (aka Pikes Peak or Tava to the indigenous people). This Colorado "fourteener” towers over the Colorado front range and casts its beauty over the surrounding area including the city at its base, Colorado Springs. Its Summit enchants the human spirit with its grace and majesty.

Once a year for more than 100 years, humans and their innovative driving machines race to summit this majestic mountain. Race car drivers from around the world, the best of the best, compete against each other and dedicated locals in the surrounding communities to become the annual champion—better known as “The King of the Mountain.”

Our film captures the human spirit and dynamic as it relates to this unique and severely dangerous race. The human struggle to be your best—to balance speed vs. survival, risk vs. reward-- is severely tested. Yet the grace, camaraderie and sportsmanship shared amongst the drivers in this competitive moment is like no other. “Make it to the top” is the ultimate goal as the mountain dictates each drive. In the end, making it to the top has multiple meanings to these drivers with all winning as their spirit mates with the soulful divinity—an offering from the mountain to all who climb her.

Meet the CREATIVE team

Rod and Nate, the Colorado/Texas based duo, together have over 40 years of experience in TV and film. From directing and writing to producing, editing and everything in between.

They are both passionate about compelling storytelling and bringing documentaries to the world that matter. This passion project has been an almost 3 year journey as they experienced the race up Pike's Peak and what drives those that compete.

Rodney A Cooper, Esq.

Executive Producer/Producer/Director

Rodney (or Rod) Cooper began his journey in film making on the legal side representing studios and talent in multiple film and tv projects since 2000. Over the years he has expanded from the legal side to creative. His mentorship from studio head legend Frank Price has been invaluable to his growth on story telling through film. King of the Mountain reflects his passion for nature and sport and will be his second film completed in the past year. His last film he did with Oscar winner Graham Moore (best screenplay Imitation Games) and Alyssa Milano, with up and coming Lord of the Rings star Ema Horvath entitled “Who Are You People.”

Nate Bernard

Executive Producer/ Director of Photography

Nate Bernard is a filmmaker, writer, and director with a passion for storytelling and pushing the limits of creativity with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. In 2009 his directorial debut premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival. In 2010 he wrote an directed his first feature film, The Watcher, and went on to start SkyRocket Studio, a production company that worked with big media brands like NBC, HGTV, Topps and USA network producing and directing hundreds of commercials, music videos, and scripted shows. His work is currently streaming on Hulu, Amazon, and YouTube channels and on television across Colorado and the midwest.