Imagine a world-class curling tournament suddenly transforming into a Hollywood film set—right before your eyes! That's exactly what happened at the Grand Slam of Curling in Steinbach, where the thrilling sport met the magic of moviemaking in an unexpected twist. But here's where it gets even more fascinating... While the event itself was already a highlight for curling enthusiasts, it became a backdrop for the upcoming film Sticks and Stones, chronicling the inspiring underdog story of American curler John Shuster’s 2018 Olympic gold medal journey. And this is the part most people miss: the fans themselves became accidental movie stars!
The Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach wasn’t just hosting a major curling tournament—it was doubling as a filming location for this Hollywood production. While Winnipeg serves as the primary filming hub, the crew made a special trip to Steinbach to capture authentic scenes during the tournament’s final draw. Here’s the kicker: after the matches ended, fans were invited to stay in their seats and become part of the movie. Michelle Sawatzky Koop, the director of communications, marketing, and sales at the centre, revealed how organizers collaborated with the film team to create the perfect atmosphere. “We made sure the announcer gave fans the option to stick around if they wanted to be in a movie,” she explained. “We needed a crowd to film these scenes on the ice, and the response was incredible.”
Fans who stayed were grouped into three sections, cheering and adding to the electrifying energy of the tournament—all while cameras rolled. Sawatzky assured that when Sticks and Stones hits the big screen, viewers will spot familiar local faces and the Southeast Event Centre itself. But here’s the controversial part: does turning a live sporting event into a movie set distract from the purity of the sport, or does it bring much-needed attention to curling? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Adding to the excitement, several actors from the film were in attendance to watch John Shuster compete. Among them were Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin from Superbad), Paul Walter Hauser (Stingray from Cobra Kai), Blake Anderson, Kyle Gallner, and Tyler George. For fans like Cody Lambert, who spent the week watching the tournament up close, seeing these stars was a highlight. “Meeting McLovin and Stingray was pretty cool,” Lambert shared. He even got Paul Walter Hauser to record a personalized video for his sister, a die-hard Cobra Kai fan.
Lambert noted that the actors seemed genuinely enthralled by the sport, even if they were still learning the ropes. “They were having a blast,” he said. “It’s awesome that they got to experience curling firsthand while playing curlers in the movie.” While Lambert didn’t stay to be an extra, he agreed the evening added a unique, memorable layer to the tournament.
For the Southeast Event Centre, hosting a film production was an unexpected but welcome surprise. “We knew the facility would attract events, sports, and concerts, but movies weren’t on our radar,” Sawatzky admitted. “Now, we’re seeing interest from other production companies too.” Since then, the centre has received additional requests for on-site filming, proving that this curling tournament was just the beginning of its dual role as a sports venue and movie set.
So, here’s the question: Could this be the start of a trend where live sporting events become regular backdrops for Hollywood films? Or is this a one-off that’ll never be replicated? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your take!
