The Montana Department of Commerce is seeking applications for its Big Sky Film Grant Program.
Donor Name: Montana Department of Commerce
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $50 Million to $100 Million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purpose of the Big Sky Film Grant is to build and support partnerships with filmmakers and productions companies to create film industry jobs throughout the state. In addition to providing grant funding, the Program elevates and supports Montana filmmakers, crew and businesses that provide products, services and locations to the film industry. To qualify, a production must film 50% or more of the principal photography days in Montana.
Eligible productions include feature films, short films, documentaries, television series, limited series, music videos and others. Certain categories of productions are excluded from the Program, including, but not limited to, broadcast news or current affairs programs, interview or talk shows, instructional videos, sports shows or events, religious or political campaigns, some adult content and daytime soap operas.
The Big Sky Film Grant is a competitive grant program intended to attract and support filmmakers and production companies operating in Montana and, by doing so, to stimulate economic activity, community enhancement and statewide tourism through increased investment, job creation or retention, business expansion and local tax base growth.
Categories
- Feature Film and TV
- Awards in this category are made to a Montana-based production of a feature-length film or television series with a minimum Montana-spend of $350,000. Award amounts are not limited but are subject to annual program funding limitations an available funding.
- Short Form Content
- Awards in this category are made to a Montana-based production of a short-form content film project. Examples include a short narrative, pilot episode, documentary, animation, webisode, Montana-centric story, or a film series of episodes each 60 minutes or less in length and with a budget of less than $350,000 per episode. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of up to $50,000 per project.
- Resident Feature Film and TV
- Awards in this category are made to a Montana-based production of a feature-length project that is produced by a Montana-resident filmmaker who has a validated credit as a producer, director or primary director of photography. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of up to $100,000 per project. Proof of Montana residency must be submitted with an application to be eligible.
- Resident Short Form Content
- This category is awarded to a Montana-based production of a short form content project that is produced by a Montana resident filmmaker who has a validated credit as a producer, director or primary director of photography. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of up to $50,000 per project. Proof of Montana residency must be submitted with an application to be eligible.
Eligible Projects
All eligible projects must be Montana-based and include an eligible production type.
Eligible production types include:
- Feature film;
- Short film;
- Music video;
- Documentary;
- Series for theaters;
- Television or streaming;
- Pilots;
- Webisode; and
- Video game or game sequel.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual person(s);
- Business entity (for-profit or not-for-profit); and
- Organization (for-profit or not-for-profit, non-governmental).
For more information, visit MDC.
