The Big Sky Film Grant program builds and supports partnerships with filmmakers and production companies to create Montana film industry jobs.
Donor Name: Montana Film Office
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/07/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
In addition to providing grant funding, the program elevates and supports Montana filmmakers, crew and businesses and individuals providing products, services and locations to the film industry. To qualify, a production must film 50% or more of the principal photography days in Montana.
Depending upon the category, 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, sport shows or events, religious or political campaigns, adult content and daytime soap operas.
Grant Categories
- Feature Film and TV
- Awards in this category are made to a Montana-based production of a feature length film, television series, or limited series, with a minimum Montana spend of $350,000. Award amounts are not limited in this category, but are subject to annual program funding limitations.
- Resident Filmmaker – 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 $100,000 per project. Proof of Montana residency must be submitted with an application to be eligible.
- Short-Form Content
- Awards in this category are 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 a budget of less than $350,000 per episode. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $50,000 per project.
- Resident Filmmaker – Short-Form Content
- Awards in this category are made 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. 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 a budget of less than $350,000 per episode. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $50,000 per project. Proof of Montana residency must be submitted with an application to be eligible.
Eligible Production Types
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 MFO.
