The Montana Film Festival promotes bold independent films from around the world and aims to engage our community with remarkable, shared, cinematic experiences.

With a lineup of independent films from all over the world, Montana Film Festival embraces the expansive possibilities of contemporary filmmaking. The festival highlights emergent independent talents and favorites from major international festivals, with special attention paid to Montana's burgeoning film industry. Just as this festival honors the makers, it is also a perennial local favorite from our audiences, who consistently value Taking the Time to Watch Cinema.

The beloved Roxy Theater, located on “The Hip Strip” in downtown Missoula, Montana, is the host venue for MTFF. If you love film, you'll fall in love with this charming art-house theater. Only more charming than the theater is the regular staff who truly make the difference in terms of the festival experience. Hosting 5 festivals each year, the 'Roxys' are experts at hosting visiting filmmakers.

Our regular event welcomes guest writers, directors, actors, and industry professionals to experience Montana hospitality over the four-day festival. With special events to introduce audiences to creators. spark conversation and reveal the inner workings of filmmaking, MTFF’s retreat-like atmosphere provides every attending filmmaker development opportunities through our presenting partner, the Montana Film Office.

MTFF has welcomed a number of special guests to Missoula over the years: Charles Burnett, Bill Pullman, Lily Gladstone, Sophia Takal, Tobi Poser, Mya Taylor, Sarah Adina Smith, Emily Hubley, Benjamin Wiessner, Wendy McColm, Kenneth Turan (LA Times critic), Neal Block (Magnolia Pictures Head of Distribution & Marketing), Andrew and Alex Smith, Annick Smith, 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 Shiva Baby, Cowboys, Thunder Road, Tangerine, Mandy, Birds Without Feathers, Certain Women, Wildlife, Montana Story, The Unknown Country, Bitterbrush, Quantum Cowboys, and The Power of the Dog.

MTFF SUBMISSIONS

2023 SUBMISSIONS

MTFF accepts short films work in the following genres: narrative, documentary, and experimental. Feature films for the festival are curated outside of submissions, for the most part.

We have a Montana-centric programming strand. This program gives priority to films with strong connections to the state, whether that connection is through key crew roles, shooting locations, or a thematic focus on living in the contemporary West. The Montana-focused strand is curated especially for our Roxy + MTFF audiences. Too often traditional audiences fail to see--or value--the in-state film production that feeds both our artistic community and our state’s economy, nor are they able to feel a part of it. Equally often, Montana-made films that deserve a wider audience, or just to be seen on a big screen, don’t get the attention they deserve. Our jury is very eager for films that explore what it is like to live in the contemporary West in a new, unexplored way.

Please email our team to explain your Montana or contemporary western connection and include a few details about your film.

TIP: We are not interested in the classic documentary structure yet are open to documentary work only if it is notably genre-bending and challenges storytelling perspectives as well as possesses that Montana or Western connection.

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Maya Korn

    I really cannot say enough nice things about this festival. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. We got a huge room comped from the festival and cute goody bag with deals around town. The festival programming was immaculate and we really felt like part of the family. Not many shorts get programmed so if you get chosen you should feel very special!

    October 2023
  • Fantastic festival and great team. Super friendly and take care of their filmmakers. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to Montana, but I was aware of everything that was happening at the festival. Thank you so much for having our short film and I look forward to applying again (hoping to attend in person)

    October 2023
  • Frances Chewning

    Hands-down, one of the best festival experiences I've had. Amazing hospitality, wonderful community, fabulous arthouse theater, excellent films, passionate & thoughtful curation. My block of short films attracted very cool filmmakers, and a vibe you don't want to miss. Would go back in a heartbeat. Also, Montana is gorgeous and Missoula is a great, walkable place to be. I'm so grateful I got to be a part of the 2023 fest.

    October 2023
  • Amber Laird

    This festival felt so personal and intimate. I am deeply grateful to the organizers, especially Carrie Richer, for being incredibly communicative and friendly. She helped me organize housing during my stay in Missoula, and really went above and beyond to make sure my experience getting and staying there was smooth. The people of Missoula really showed up and filled the theaters, which was beautiful to see. There is clearly a vibrant film community here.

    October 2022
  • Such an honor to be nominated this year and such a mindful journey!

    November 2020