The 2026 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has wrapped up - and what a festival it was. From opening night at The Wilma to the final closing credits, this year’s event brought together extraordinary films, world-class filmmakers, and a community of more than 25,000 passionate film lovers.
Our 2026 Wrap Report and Wrap Video are now live. Ten days. 150+ films. One unforgettable February in Missoula.
Wrap Report 🔗 in bio.
🎥: @ianfrankfilms
Join @bigskydocfest at The Roxy for this month's Big Sky Doc Film Series pick, WTO/99, Tuesday, May 12th at 5:15pm & 8:00pm.
An immersive archival documentary that depicts the four-day clash between the then-emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) and the 40,000+ people who took to the streets of Seattle in 1999 to protest the WTO Conference and the WTO’s impact on human rights, labor, and the future effects of continued globalization.
The 24th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is officially seeking new voices ✨
Submissions for BSDFF 2027 are now open to documentary filmmakers worldwide. We welcome works of all lengths, genres, and subject matters to join us in Missoula from February 12–21, 2027. Submit your film today and be part of the tradition and magic of Big Sky!
- Early Bird Deadline: June 12, 2026
- Regular Deadline: August 14, 2026
- Late Deadline: October 2, 2026
Submission 🔗 in bio.
Today marks the start of Missoula Gives!
The team behind NPR’s BOYS OF SUMMER, which premiered at this year’s 23rd annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, sat down to share what the experience meant to them, and why supporting documentary storytelling matters right now.
Support during Missoula Gives, April 30 - May 1, helps the Big Sky Film Institute bring filmmakers and audiences together around stories that connect us to the wider world—and ensures those stories have a place to be seen and heard.
🔗 Give today! Link in bio 🔗
At the Big Sky Film Institute, we believe in the power of non-fiction storytelling to change the world. During Missoula Gives, you can help us sustain that mission.
We’ve set a goal of $10,000, and we are thrilled that our friends at @stockmanofmontana are supporting us with a $2,500 match.
When you give, you aren’t just donating; you’re investing in:
✨ Educational programs for Montana students
✨ Artist development and filmmaker workshops
✨ Bringing world class films to our mountain town
Double your donation thanks to @stockmanofmontana 🐝
Mark your calendars! Missoula Gives is ONE WEEK AWAY, and we are gearing up for an exciting 24 hours of community giving.
From April 30th to May 1st, the Big Sky Film Institute will be participating in this city-wide event with a goal of raising $10,000. These funds are essential for our youth education programs, supporting Indigenous filmmakers through the 4th World Media Lab, and keeping our annual documentary festival thriving.
This past February, we sat together in the dark of The Wilma Theater and saw the world through someone else’s eyes. We laughed, we cried, and for a moment, the world felt a little less fractured. The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival lasted 10 days, but our mission lasts 365.
The lights are up now, and the reality is clear: the arts are under pressure.
Documentary film has a unique power to connect us and spark important conversations. Your support ensures we can continue providing a platform for these vital stories right here in Missoula.
Please save the date and get ready to help us reach our $10,000 goal!
Eight weeks ago, the DocShop Filmmaker’s Forum at @bigskydocfest was filled with inspiring ideas, dynamic conversations, and powerful stories from across the documentary creative community—all exploring cutting-edge perspectives under the banner of Resilience & Longevity.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported, participated in, and contributed to these pivotal conversations throughout the week. We’re still glowing from it—and hope it filled up your creative cup ✨
#bigskydocfest #bigskydocshop #bigskypitch #missoulapubliclibrary
Join The Roxy and @bigskydocfest for this month's Big Sky Doc Film Series pick, HOW TO KILL A MERMAID, Tuesday, April 14th at 5:00pm & 7:45pm.
A heart-wrenching true-crime documentary exploring the death of 18-year-old Linnea Mills during a 2020 cold-water scuba dive in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Using never-before-seen footage, it reexamines the fatal dive and investigation, offering an intimate portrait of a life cut short.
Both screenings followed by a Q&A with director Damon Ristau!
A massive thank you to the volunteer corps of the 23rd annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
Managing a multi-venue international film festival is a logistical feat that relies entirely on the dedication of our community. Our volunteers provide the essential support that allow filmmakers and audiences to connect seamlessly over the 10 day festival.
We look forward to celebrating this talented group tonight at the @historicflorencecocktailbar from 5:00–7:00 PM. Missoula is a better place because of your commitment to the arts!
Film Festival Flashback I Day Ten
10 days. Hundreds of stories. One unforgettable community.
The final day of a festival always has that bittersweet “last day of camp” energy - part exhaustion, part inspiration, and a whole lot of gratitude.
We want to give a massive shout-out to our army of volunteers, our dedicated staff, and our incredible sponsors and supporters!
Most importantly, thank you to the filmmakers who traveled from across the globe to share their truth with us. Missoula is a better place because of the windows you opened for us at the 23rd Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
See you next year!
📸: @eliassnyders
Film Festival Flashback I Day Nine
On Day 9, we marked over two decades of supporting non-fiction filmmaking in the West. We were thrilled to host this milestone celebration alongside our partners at the Montana Department of Commerce’s Film Office at @freecyclesmissoula for a night of music with the one and only @themightytravis and Love is a Dog, community, and reflection as we toasted to the past and future of documentary film in Montana.
The final 48 hours of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival were packed with world-class premieres and award-winning talent. Today, we celebrated the filmmakers in who took home top honors this year!
📸: @eliassnyders@emilybrownfilm
Film Festival Flashback I Day Eight
Day 8 marked one of the most high-stakes and exciting events of the festival! The Big Sky Pitch is where the future of documentary cinema is shaped, offering a rare “behind-the-scenes” look at the industry’s decision-making process.
Ten filmmaking teams stepped into the spotlight today to present their works-in-progress. This is a unique opportunity for the public to witness the evolution of a documentary and hear direct feedback from the industry’s most influential powerhouses, including @magnoliapics , @concordiastudio , and the @fordfoundation .
In partnership with @sparkartsmissoula , we bussed in Missoula County 6th graders to the Wilma Theater for a documentary screening accompanied with educational activities and discussions with attending filmmakers.
After a high-stakes day of pitches at the MCT, there was no better way to decompress than by celebrating the bravery, vision, and sheer hustle of our 2026 Pitch Participants. We wrapped the day with a happy hour and evening reception at the @florencecocktailbar hosted by @espn !
📸: @eliassnyders@emilybrownfilm
