Submissions are open to nonfiction films and videos of all styles, subjects, and lengths. All films selected for screening will be notified of their status by January 8, 2021. The filmmaker agrees to be responsible for all shipping and insurance costs for shipping materials to the festival office. All submitting filmmakers will be notified of the official selections prior to the festival.
If accepted for screening, your film will screen on our festivals virtual platform and possibly in Missoula Montana in February 2021 as part of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Should the 2021 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival be canceled or postponed because of an act of God, natural disaster, epidemic, or for any other reason beyond our control, submission fees cannot be refunded.
Films of any completion date are eligible for submission. However, accepted films must not have been shown anywhere in Montana prior to the festival.
Big Sky does not pay screening fees.
Preview screeners and exhibition prints must either be in English or have English subtitles.
Rough cuts are accepted for entry at the final deadline only. If you submit a rough cut, we cannot guarantee that the programmers will be able to review an updated cut at a later date. If you are submitting a rough cut, make sure it is indicated as such. Include the intended final running time and work remaining to be completed with your entry. Big Sky does not exhibit works-in-progress at the festival. Films must be completed by February 1, 2021 in order to be screened.
Entering filmmakers must have one of the following formats available by January 20, 2021, if accepted, for screening at the festival. Blu-Ray or h.264 (.mp4) file.
DCP is NOT an accepted screening format.
You are responsible for updating Big Sky directly regarding any change to your contact information and ensuring that emails from programming@bigskyfilmfest.org are not blocked by spam filters.
Big Sky requires an online screener to be uploaded to Vimeo (password protected private link), Youtube (unlisted link), or the FilmFreeway video player. If you absolutely cannot upload your film please email coordinator@bigskyfilmfest.org for instructions on mailing a physical screener.
All entry deadlines are postmark deadlines. Entries postmarked after the final deadline may not be considered. Submission fees are non-refundable.
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ENTRY FEE DISCOUNTS:
Discounted submission fees are available for Montana filmmakers or filmmakers with Montana-based films and Indigenous filmmakers. Explore the Categories & Fees panel for more information.
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ADDITIONAL TERMS OF ENTRY:
By submitting this documentary, I understand that I am agreeing to the following:
I am currently the copyright owner of this work. Should ownership or rights to my film change, this agreement to screen at the 2021 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, if accepted, will be upheld and not be infringed. I own or control the copyright in and to, and am duly authorized to submit this documentary film to the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (Big Sky) and to the best of my knowledge, all statements on this document are true; This documentary contains no material which could result in tort claims, royalty claims, claims for breach of contract, or claims of any sort whatsoever; If this documentary is selected for screening at Big Sky, I grant Big Sky the right to screen this film in Missoula, Montana, February 19 - February 28, 2021; I understand and agree that this film entry, if selected for the Festival, may be used for promotional purposes for the Festival, Big Sky and/or its partners and I grant Big Sky and its partners the rights to use up to two minutes of footage, photographic stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes; I fully indemnify and hold Big Sky and its partners harmless from: a) damage to or loss of the film print or videotapes en route to or from Big Sky or during the course of festival possession of the entry; and b) from any claims which may arise in connection with this documentary film. If a claim arises in connection with this film, I will bear all the costs of defense incurred by Big Sky and pay any award of damages which may ensue. I also agree to reimburse Big Sky for any attorney fees incurred in connection with the defense of such a claim. I understand that Big Sky reserves the right to place my film in the appropriate competition category. By submitting my film, I am indicating that I understand, comply with and agree to the Terms of Entry and the eligibility requirements.
