Missoula, Montana – The Montana Department of Commerce has announced that 29 film projects will collectively receive more than $1.5 million in grant funding through the Big Sky Film Grant (BSFG) Program. These funds will support in-state production, with an estimated $11.3 million in related spending expected to benefit communities across Montana.
“These 29 film projects are expected to spend an estimated $11.3 million in Montana and will bring in productions that will help boost the economies of many rural Montana communities including Alberton, Cooke City, Eureka, Ovando, Rocky Boy, Sula and Twin Bridges,” said Montana Department of Commerce Acting Director Mandy Rambo.
This year, the BSFG program received 101 applications requesting over $16 million in grant funds. Only $1.5 million was available, and grants were awarded based on eligibility and competitiveness. Projects fell into three categories: Feature Film and Television, Feature Film and TV Resident Only, and Short-Form Content including Resident Only.
Grants Supporting Montana’s Creative Community
Among the largest recipients were several feature-length productions. These included New Dawn Rising, Gone by Morning, Floating, Dead Air, St. George, and Voice Out, each awarded up to $150,000. In the Resident-Only category, productions such as Counting to a Thousand, Traverse, and Warrior Cowboys each received $100,000.
Short-form content grants were also significant this year. Productions like Last Stand at Butte City, Mobtana, and The Blistering, Blundering West received awards up to $50,000. Meanwhile, resident-led short-form projects such as The Montana Sessions, Dear Western Sky, and The Merlin received awards between $10,000 and $40,000.
These projects are expected to bring economic growth to various towns and cities while also highlighting Montana’s natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage.
A History of Investment in Local Storytelling
The Big Sky Film Grant program, which began in 2013, has awarded more than $13 million to nearly 380 productions over its 11-year history. In 2023, the program received a boost when Senate Bill 540 mandated that a portion of the state’s Lodging Facility Use Tax be directed to fund in-state film production. The Montana Film Office, housed within the Department of Commerce, administers the grant using revenue from this “Bed Tax.”
One past recipient, Polar Productions, received $40,000 to produce Wild Foods: Montana. Reflecting on that experience, show host and producer Kevin Chap shared: “Our experience creating ‘Wild Foods: Montana’ has been nothing short of transformative. As I crossed the Continental Divide into the Centennial Valley, surrounded by golden aspens and the sunlit peaks of Mount Nemesis, I felt a deep sense of connection, like returning home. This sentiment echoed throughout our production.”
Chap noted that his team is eager to continue its partnership with the state to produce more content focused on Montana’s lesser-known histories and landscapes.
As Montana continues to attract national and regional productions, the BSFG program is proving to be a valuable tool for both creative expression and economic development. By encouraging filmmakers to tell their stories in and about Montana, the state is cultivating a reputation as a film-friendly destination, while supporting rural communities and showcasing local talent.
More information about the Big Sky Film Grant can be found at commerce.mt.gov.
