May 14, 2025, Film Freeway's Editors name the Montana Film Festival one of their 6 Favorite Festivals of the moment. https://filmfreeway.com/articles/best-film-festivals/.

For ten years, the Montana Film Festival has showcased independent films from around the world, engaging our community with remarkable shared cinematic experiences, embracing and expanding the possibilities of contemporary cinema, and welcoming our guests to Big Screen Country.

This year our in-person festival will be running October 22 - 25 with virtual screenings from October 26 - November 1.

MTFF highlights emergent independent talents from major international festivals, with special attention paid to Montana's flourishing film industry. It regularly screens features several months before wide release, making it the premiere annual event for Montana's cinephiles.

The Roxy Theater, Missoula's community cinema, is the venue for MTFF. Presenting three festivals each year, the warm and welcoming Roxy staff love hosting visiting filmmakers. Every October, MTFF welcomes writers, directors, actors, and industry professionals to experience Montana hospitality over the four-day festival. Parties and special events allow creators to meet their audiences, and provide valuable space for networking. MTFF provides attending filmmakers development opportunities through our presenting partner, the Montana Film Office.

MTFF has welcomed a number of special guests to Missoula over the years: Lily Gladstone, Charles Burnett, Bill Pullman, Sophia Takal, Anna Camp, Toby Poser, J.D. Shields, Maya Korn, Frances Chewning, Mya Taylor, Sarah Adina Smith, Emily Hubley, Benjamin Wiessner, Wendy McColm, Bonnie Discepolo, Kenneth Turan (LA Times critic), Neal Block (Magnolia Pictures Head of Distribution & Marketing), Julian Glander, Harris Mayersohn, Amber Sealey, Krisha Fairchild, Ty Hickson, Annabelle Attanasio, Natalie Metzger, Richard Pearce, Lynzee Klingman, Jessica Oreck, and more.

Past MTFF selections and Montana premieres include Bitterroot, Shiva Baby, Cowboys, Thunder Road, Tangerine, Mandy, Birds Without Feathers, Certain Women, Wildlife, Montana Story, The Unknown Country, Bitterbrush, Quantum Cowboys, The Power of the Dog, The People's Joker, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Fancy Dance, Boys Go to Jupiter, Rebuilding, and Train Dreams.

Films selected for inclusion in the Montana Film Festival have received the following awards and honors: 

Austin Film Critics Association - Best Film, Best Score
BAFTA Awards - Best Film, Best Direction
Independent Spirit Award - Best Feature
The John Cassavetes Award
AFI Film Institute Award
Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award
Canadian Screen Awards - Best Director, Best Original Screenplay
Chicago International Film Festival Artistic Achievement Award
Critics Choice Award - Best Picture, Director, Actor
Gotham Independent Film Awards
imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival - Best Dramatic Feature
Independent Film Festival of Boston - Grand Jury Prize
New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director, Best First Film 
Outfest - Best Screenwriting 
Saturn Awards - Best Independent Film
Sitges Film Festival - Best Director 
South by Southwest - Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award
Sundance Film Festival Directing Award - Dramatic Feature
Torino Film Festival - Best Feature Film 
Toronto Film Critics Association -Best Canadian Film, Best Director
Golden Globe Awards - Best Motion Picture, Best Director
Academy Award - Best Director 

SUBMISSIONS:

MTFF accepts both feature films and shorts in the following categories: narrative, animation, and experimental. Please note that we do not regularly program documentaries. We occasionally make an exception, but only if they possess a strong connection to Montana or the American West and they function primarily as works of art, rather than reportage, with an aim to entertain rather than inform.

We are looking for vibrant, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind films, films which are extraordinary after one viewing and even better after the second, films which expand the possibility of the art form.

MTFF gives priority to films with strong ties to Montana, whether that connection is through key cast and crew, shooting locations, or a thematic focus on life in the contemporary West. We are eager to showcase the vitality of filmmaking in our state, and to give Montana-made films the audience they deserve. Please email our team to explain your connection to the state and include a few details about your film.

Rules & Terms

Montana Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. Please note that Montana Film Festival accepts documentary films. experimental, and fiction films made both nationally and internationally.

All entries should be in English or with English subtitles.
The applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless Montana Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SUBMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kara Herold

    I attended the 2025 Fest, in lieu of my co-writer Kara Herold, the director of our short comedy “The Callback.” I had heard what a great town Missoula is and I’m so glad I was able to go. The folks at MFF not only love every aspect of filmmaking, but have a deep appreciation for art and culture on every level, reflecting the ethos of this lovely University town. The Roxy is a historic theater that hosts several film festivals per year, check them all out. Everyone involved at MFF is dedicated to showing the best in local and international films, which this year featured absurd social commentary, dystopian visions inspired by the Montanan landscape, feminist tales of subversive resistance, mind-boggling animation, and deeply emotional philosophical explorations of the human condition. I met filmmakers from across the country while we ate delicious locally sourced meals in an atmosphere of acceptance and camaraderie. We were hosted, affordably housed, fed, and transported wherever we needed to be by the Festival staff, shout out to Josh, and everyone at MFF. Our film was shown twice and the Q&A’s afterward were excellent and engaging. Unforgettable highlight was watching “Train Dreams” with a sold-out crowd of Denis Johnson enthusiasts, crying in tandem. I would love to return annually if at all possible.
    -Lisa McElroy

    January 2026
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    Response from festival:

    It was fantastic to have you with us Lisa. Keep making films, we'd love to have you back. All the best. - David Mills-Low (Film Festival Operations Manager)

  • Brandon Murak

    MTFF 2025 was one of the most exciting and beautiful moments so far in my film career. I feel like it has given me the courage to finally connect with those in my field, and as dumb as it sounds, finally consider myself a "filmmaker" after many years of letting the internet bury our work.

    I felt extremely welcomed, and seen by staff. And I feel like our film was genuinely considered and placed thoughtfully with two other fantastic films.

    Josh came in with some hard boiled questions for our films in the QnA. I felt honored folks stuck around and it was a great feeling to let loose and nerd out a bit in the spot light. (CARPET GATE!)

    We'll be doing our darnedest to get in next year, but regardless, showing up is worth it for the eclectic selections, fantastic folk and merriment.

    Thank you MTFF!

    December 2025
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  • Matthew Derby

    Can't say enough great things about the MFF. From the moment we landed we were in great hands. It's obvious they have a deep respect for filmmakers. And the venue, The Roxy, is a delight, with top-notch projection and sound. Our film looked and sounded incredible. We look forward to attending in the future.

    October 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Fantastic to have you with us Matthew. Safe travels out there and we can't wait to see what you make next. All the best.

  • Lauren Norby

    Just the best little fest around! I wanted to see every film they programmed! My own film screened multiple times, with a professional Q&A. The theater had a dedicated lounge for the filmmakers to socialize between events. Great party, too! I cannot recommend this festival highly enough!

    February 2025
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  • Irina Arnaut

    Such a warm and supportive festival, with a great lineup and an incredible programming team who went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I'm glad I made the journey out to Montana to attend in person. It was well wroth it! Met some wonderful filmmakers and saw really good films. Thank you MTFF!

    October 2024
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