Submissions are open to nonfiction films of all styles, subjects, and lengths. All films selected for screening will be notified of their status by January 12, 2027.
If accepted for screening, your film will screen in Missoula, Montana in February 2027, and potentially in a virtual exhibition, as part of the 24th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Should the 2027 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival be canceled or postponed because of a natural disaster, pandemic, or for any other reason beyond our control, submission fees cannot be refunded.
ELIGIBILITY
While our festival focuses on new work, films of any completion date are eligible for submission. However, accepted films must not have been shown anywhere in Montana prior to the festival.
Work that has previously screened online may be considered, however priority is given to work that has not already reached a wide audience.
You are welcome to re-submit only if the film has undergone significant re-working since it was previously entered. Please contact the Director of Programming if this applies to your film.
SCREENING FEES
Big Sky does not pay screening fees.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Preview screeners and exhibition screeners 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 Big Sky 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. At the beginning of your screener, please Include the intended final running time and work/elements remaining to be completed. Big Sky does not exhibit works-in-progress at the festival. Films must be completed by February 1, 2027 in order to be screened.
Big Sky requires an online screener to be uploaded to Vimeo (password protected or private link), Youtube (unlisted link), or the FilmFreeway video player. If you absolutely cannot upload your film please email coordinator@bigskyfilmfest.org for instructions.
All entry deadlines are upload deadlines. Entries received after the final deadline may not be considered.
Shipping & Insurance costs are the responsibility of the filmmaker.
AWARDS
Acceptance to Big Sky does not guarantee selection for competition. Up to 10 films are selected by the programming committee for each competition category. Priority is given to films premiering at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival that are without distribution. Our goal is to create a field of finalists representative of the variety of voices who submit to our festival.
Competition categories are: Best Mini-Doc, Best Short, Best Feature, & Big Sky Award.
DELIVERABLES
Accepted filmmakers must have the following format available by January 15, 2027 for screening at the festival: h.264 (.mp4) file. All films screening at the festival must include a .srt file. If the primary language is not English, then you must provide an open subtitled version for screening. The filmmaker is responsible for all shipping and insurance costs.
DCP is not a required screening format. However, we may request a DCP for screening in some instances.
You are responsible for updating Big Sky directly regarding any change to your contact information and ensuring that emails from @bigskyfilmfest.org domain are not blocked by spam filters.
Due to the volume and size of our staff, feedback is not provided regarding films chosen or not chosen for inclusion in the festival.
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.
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 2027 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, if accepted, will be upheld and not be infringed. I own or control the copyright 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 12 - February 21, 2027; 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.
