Bozeman Film Festival

Overview

The Bozeman Film Festival is Montana's most important university-city film festival. Founded in 2006 and held annually in October in Bozeman -- home of Montana State University and the fastest-growing city in Montana, situated at the gateway to Yellowstone National Park -- the festival presents independent American and international cinema in one of the Mountain West's most dynamic small cities.

Bozeman's rapid growth, driven by an influx of remote workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and technology entrepreneurs drawn by its proximity to world-class skiing, hiking, and fly fishing, has transformed it from a college town into one of Montana's most cosmopolitan communities. The resulting audience blend of longtime Montanans, university faculty and students, and recent arrivals creates broad receptiveness to independent and world cinema.

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula and the Bozeman Film Festival together provide Montana with two distinct film events that serve different communities within the state.

Key Sections

• Feature Film Program -- independent American and international features
• Montana Outdoors and Adventure -- films celebrating the Montana landscape and outdoor culture
• Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
• Short Film Competition -- competitive short programs
• Montana Film Showcase -- films by Montana filmmakers

What Filmmakers Should Know

The festival accepts open submissions. For Montana filmmakers, both Bozeman and the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival provide important state platforms. Films addressing outdoor adventure, wilderness, and the American West will find especially engaged audiences.

Major Awards

• Audience Award -- voted by Bozeman festival audiences

Festival History

Bozeman Film Festival was founded in 2006 and has grown alongside Bozeman's rapid expansion.

See Also

For Montana festivals, see Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. For Mountain West cinema, see Film Festival Strategy.