Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

Also known as: BSDFF
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The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, shows only non-fiction work and is open to documentaries of any form, length and subject. It is a programme of the Big Sky Film Institute, a non-profit artist development organisation, and runs for ten days each February at the historic Wilma theatre and other downtown venues, with part of the programme also available in an online virtual cinema. An average edition presents around 150 films and hosts more than 200 visiting artists.

Alongside the screenings, the five-day DocShop industry event offers panels, master classes, workshops and the Big Sky Pitch. Juries give awards for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Mini-Doc and the Big Sky Award for films about the American West; the Best Short and Best Mini-Doc winners qualify for the Academy Awards in the documentary short category. The 24th edition takes place on 12–21 February 2027.

Country

United States (USA)

Categories

Documentary, Feature, Short

Dates

12 February 2027 — 21 February 2027

Awards and prizes

Four juried competition categories: Best Feature (40 minutes and over), Best Short (15–39 minutes), Best Mini-Doc (under 15 minutes) and the Big Sky Award for films of any length that artistically honour the character, history, tradition and imagination of the American West. Up to ten films compete in each category; three jurors per category choose the winner and may also give one Artistic Vision Award. Each category winner receives a $500 cash prize. The Best Short and Best Mini-Doc winners qualify for Academy Award consideration in the documentary short category.

Festival rules

Open to non-fiction films of all styles, subjects and lengths, with any completion date. Accepted films must not have been shown anywhere in Montana before the festival; earlier online availability is taken into account, with priority for work that has not yet reached a wide audience. A film may be re-submitted only after significant re-working. Non-English films need English subtitles. Rough cuts are accepted only at the late deadline, and films must be completed by 1 February 2027 to screen; works in progress are not exhibited. Screeners are submitted online through FilmFreeway (FilmFreeway player, private Vimeo or unlisted YouTube link); physical media is not accepted. Accepted films deliver an H.264 (.mp4) file with an .srt file. The festival does not pay screening fees, and entry fees are non-refundable. Discounted entry fees are available for Montana filmmakers, Montana-based films and Indigenous filmmakers.

Contacts

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