ABOUT MINT

The MINT Film Festival is an annual film festival located in Billings, Montana's largest city. We exist to bring great films from around the world to an enthusiastic audience. Enjoy red-carpet events, industry-led panels, workshops, film screenings, lavish parties, and recreational excursions under the Big Sky! National film publications are in attendance to review film screenings.

We love thoughtfully controversial films, pushing technical or creative boundaries, and searching for truth & beauty.

AS SEEN IN
Film Threat: http://bit.ly/35nbd4N
MovieMaker Magazine: http://bit.ly/2KmBGZO
IndieWire: http://bit.ly/2G5xQ1P

DATES
The 2024 MINT Film Festival is four days from September 19-22 in downtown Billings.

VENUES
-Art House Cinema

FESTIVAL BACKGROUND
The MINT Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) in Billings, Montana.

WHY YOU SHOULD SUBMIT TO MINT
All too often, great films by hard-working filmmakers go unseen, and we want to change that outcome! We know how hard it is to make a film. We know how much you have likely sacrificed to bring your film to life, and we want to assure you that the selection process at the Montana International Film Festival is a true meritocracy. All films submitted will be viewed in their entirety by knowledgeable programmers, not by inexperienced volunteers who may only watch a minute of your film and move on to the next. In an ever-growing sea of film content, we understand that the role of the curator is more vital than ever, and we take this role seriously. We are a world-class festival that gives up-and-coming directors a platform and an audience to show their work.

Billings is a growing and vibrant city located along the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana. Voted by Outside magazine as the #1 Best Town of 2016, the city has an abundant, energetic, and passionate audience of film and art lovers who are ready to see your film and ready to share their community with you. Our venues include beautifully equipped 75 to 750-seat theaters within the community.

*All panel events are subject to change.

JURY AWARDS

-MINT Spirit Award
-Best Narrative
-Best Documentary
-Best Made-In-Montana Film
-Best Narrative Short
-Best Documentary Short
-Best Indigenous Film

FILM LENGTH
-Feature films with a runtime of 46 – 120 min.
-Short films with a runtime of 1 – 45 min.

-Submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.
-All films must either be in English or with English subtitles.
-Filmmakers must have all necessary legal authority and rights required to submit.
-DCP only.

REFUND POLICY:
Refunds will not be issued for films that do not qualify within our submission categories. Please check that your film qualifies or contact us before submitting. We're happy to chat.

SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY
All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2023, for consideration.

PREMIERE STATUS
A Montana premiere is not required, but it's preferred.

SELECTING FILMS
Film submissions are reviewed and considered under the following criteria:
-Quality of narrative (or documentary subject matter)
-The emotional depth of the characters
-Ability to push creative, technical, or social boundaries

SCREENING FORMAT
Our venues use industry-standard DCP.

LIABILITY & NOTICE
We work closely with our theater venues to ensure the best quality projection and sound. Failure of technical equipment, while rare, can happen, and we, along with our venues and partners, will not be held liable. Submission fees will not be refunded in any such case. Submission fees will not be refunded should the festival cancel, postpone, or alter the schedule/availability of screenings or events due to COVID-19 or anything outside our control.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you for choosing SELF SERVICE for your great festival! hope to visit you next season and enjoy the whole festival in person!

    October 2023
  • Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it in person due to a conflicting engagement, but all communications with the MINT team in the lead up to the festival were highly professional! Looked like a fantastic festival via socials, hope to get an opportunity to attend at some stage in the future!

    October 2023
  • Andrew Labens

    We had the honor of premiering our film "Only Roundup Remains" and it was a blast! Wonderful staff who made the festival a hit!

    September 2022
  • Kirk Leclaire

    Thank-you!
    My film "Every Hundred Miles" (across America with Robert Frank) showed at the beautiful downtown art deco theater in the documentary shorts block, it was well received and a thoughtful Q/A followed. There were some great afterparties. The festival is centrally located with much of the film community coming out. I highly recommended submitting your film.

    September 2022
  • Thank you Montana International Film Festival for choosing to include “For Love of the Land” into your festival. I’m honored to have been selected.

    November 2021