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 2025 MINT Film Festival is four days from September 18-21 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.

Awards & Prizes

JURY AWARDS

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

Rules & Terms

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.

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.
48 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • MADAKTO PICTURES

    On behalf of Madakto Pictures, we are honored to be a part of this prestigious film festival. It is truly inspiring to see so much talent and creativity gathered in one place. Thank you to the organizers and everyone involved for providing such a wonderful platform to share our work and connect with fellow filmmakers. We wish all participants the best and look forward to celebrating the art of cinema together.

    December 2024
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  • Lauren Norby

    It was an honor to screen our film at MINT. Wonderful festival with great people and films! Good schedule of social activities, too, like hiking the rimrocks of Billings!

    October 2024
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  • Michelle Fenn

    I had the pleasure of premiering my short doc, "Beyond the Herd" in the Cowboy block at MINT, and had a great experience. Billings is a lovely town to visit, and the screening blocks were well curated. I appreciated the intimate feel of the festival; it's not every day that a festival organizes group hikes for their filmmakers! Would gladly return with any future projects.

    October 2024
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  • T.J. Sandella

    We had a blast at MINT for the world premiere of Battersea, which won Best Narrative Feature! Big thanks to the whole team--Brian, John, Kitty, and the whole crew--who were incredibly welcoming, incredibly smart, and who curated a fun and cerebral program. Really enjoyed all the events, the Q&A, and spending time with the other filmmakers (and watching their films)! The venue was perfect for us (intimate screenings, good beer, and really crisp presentation). Excited to get back to MT someday soon!

    October 2024
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  • Kelly Moneymaker

    I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Montana International Film Festival (MINT). The theater, the selection of films, the welcoming MINT team, the filmmakers' coffee gathering and meeting new friends...all of it was a splendid experience!

    October 2024
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