Westland Film Festival (Hosted by Project Winterland) is based in Whitefish, Montana, a hotspot ski and boating town in the foothills of iconic Glacier National Park.

We seek Narrative Features and Shorts, Documentary features and shorts in all categories, We spotlight Equity, Indigenous and Environmental Film Categories.

We have a panel of judges from multiple regions of the country and an internal team that screens all films. We don't skim films and appreciate all entries.

We look for storytellers with unique perspectives that have the power to open hearts and minds on topics that are underrepresented or misunderstood. We place special significance around narrative themes of resilience, community, collective, future, redemption, love, hope, shift/change, awakening, against odds, civility reimagined, social justice, climate and other pressing issues of our time, Special points for optimistic takes.

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The festival will feature multiple blocks of independent film programming, and moderated panels featuring filmmakers, thought leaders and subject matter experts in Film, AI, Music, Climate, Regeneration, Energy, Food, Health, Technology, Impact Investing, Film, TV, and Music. Attendee passes include film screenings, live music, workshops, panel discussions, Ignite Talks, Networking Events, Immersive Experiences and a Story Village with live podcasts throughout the festival with filmmakers, writers, activists, artists, and the public.

Primary venues are state of the art theaters, O'Shaughnessy's Cultural Arts Center and Whitefish Performing Arts Center and others in Whitefish, Montana

Awards & Prizes

Laurels for Official Selections and Audience Choice Awards.

Rules & Terms

1. All entries should be submitted through FilmFreeway. Please do not send any downloadable files to Winterland Film Festival.

2. Official Selections will be announced on a rolling basis until May 31, 2026 and published to our website and socials.

3. Westland Film Festival has a multi-phase elimination system, where our panel of judges have access to all films and vote without publicly sharing your work. Please be sure to have proper English on the full movie and the trailer of the work submitted.

4. Once a film has been accepted and chosen by the panel, creator's consent will be required prior to posting the work.

5. Westland Film Festival obtains the right to change the category of the selected film which is submitted given different sections can have more opportunity for a piece.

6. The festival has the right to download portions and pieces of the submitted material to be used as snippets, sequences and still images for the purpose of sharing on print, social media, the Westland Film Festival website, and all other associated forms of festival marketing. No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its participation has been publicized, and none will be participating in screenings outside of the festival prior to its official presentation at Winterland Film Festival.

7. Westland Film Festival will not offer any refunds through withdrawal of festival submissions or lack of their film to be selected.

8. Any filmmakers whom have submitted material and become unresponsive must cover screening sessions, fees, and all other associated submission charges. Failure to respond, will resort in the withdrawl of their submission from the panel of judges.

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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Networking
  • Mike Wivell

    I was able to attend in person and had a wonderful time. Whitefish is beautiful and the perfect location for such a film festival. The organizers were very welcoming and supportive. I hope they run the festival every year and I’d love to see it grow bigger and be one of of the must submit festivals.

    February 2025
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  • Paper Horse Pictures

    Being part of the WINTERLAND IMPACT FESTIVAL was an incredible experience. Although we couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, we were really impressed by the festival’s outstanding support and commitment to both the films and the filmmakers. Their professionalism truly left a lasting impact.

    October 2024
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