Festival Dates: April 23-30 2022
Virtual IWFF program offered May 1-7
The mission of the International Wildlife Film Festival is to promote awareness, knowledge, and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people, and nature through excellence in film. The long-standing festival champions wildlife filmmakers and challenges conventional expectations about how we conserve wildlife and habitat.
Films screen to packed theaters full of sharp audiences that want to learn more about themselves and the world we live in. Filmmakers can expect lively Q&As, engaging panel discussions, and a casual, jovial atmosphere. Guests range from top-notch filmmakers and producers, cutting-edge conservationists or biologists, to the Roxy Theater audience members that sometimes see every IWFF selection. The festival staff is well-known for clear communication, inventive programming, and delivering a fun, satisfying festival experience. IWFF’s collaborative spirit offers opportunities for many national conservation partners to be involved in post-film screening discussions and day trips throughout western Montana.
Due to the success of the virtual programs in 2020 & 2021, the festival will continue to offer our international audience the chance to view films. An IWFF virtual catalog will be offered for a week, May 1-7, 2021.
IWFF & The Roxy Theater History
Founded in 1977 at the University of Montana IWFF is the first and longest-running event of its kind. Founder, Chuck Jonkel sought to highlight films that demonstrated ethical filmmaking when he founded the festival. In 2013 The Roxy Theater - home to IWFF - began operating as a year-round art-house theater and began an extensive collaboration with the university, businesses, and community, serving a diverse, all-ages population with broad programming. A unique, historic venue with incredible resources, The Roxy houses four cinema screens, a micro-cinema, an outdoor movie garden, 35mm projection, state-of-the-art sound systems, and two stages. IWFF embraces its home inside The Roxy Theater and as the heart of the Missoula community.
IWFF’s SELECTIONS & FILM COMPETITION FINALISTS
3 films are selected in each category as Finalist Films. The program consists of 60-75 films - some being outside of categories and included as festivals selections.
IWFF CATEGORY & FESTIVAL WINNERS
The winner in each category is chosen by a FINAL JURY and announced at the festival’s AWARD CEREMONY. Winners are selected for each category, plus Best of Festival, the Audience Award, and the Chuck Jonkel Legacy Award.
IWFF LABS FELLOWSHIP
This year - IWFF launches a new opportunity open to selected filmmaking teams only. Selected filmmakers (those who held a key role within one of the 2022 selections) are invited to be ONE of the EIGHT-hosted filmmaker guests who participate in IWFF LABS film retreat and be a VIP guest of the festival. IWFF LABS is filmmaker residency that happens alongside the festival every April.
Filmmakers are special guests of the Festival and come in early to begin collaborating on a short 3-5 minute film with 3 other filmmakers. The retreat includes some Montana wild encounters, fresh mountain air, the promise of new collaborators/ peers, and the opportunity to represent your film for IWFF audiences at the Roxy Theater. The hosted residency extends through the festival and includes travel support, lodging, food, and an incredible experience in Missoula, MT.
