Big Sky Film Institute

The mission of the Big Sky Film Institute is to celebrate and promote the art of non-fiction filmmaking through production and exhibition of documentary films, and to encourage media literacy by fostering public understanding and appreciation of documentary film. The Big Sky Film Institute, Inc.
is a 501( c)(3) non-profit organization.

Board of Directors

BIG SKY FILM INSTITUTE PROGRAMS -

High Plains Films
Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr, co-founded High Plains Films in 1992. Since then, the filmmaking duo has collaborated on nearly 30 documentaries. Their most recent film, FACING THE STORM: STORY OF THE AMERICAN BISON, a co-production of ITVS and Montana Public Television, will be broadcast on the national PBS series, Independent Lens in 2012. Their documentary feature, LIBBY, MONTANA was broadcast nationally on the acclaimed PBS Series, POV, and was nominated for a National Emmy Award the following year. Other well-known High Plains Films include, BRAVE NEW WEST, KILLING COYOTE, VARMINTS, THIS IS NOWHERE, and THE NATURALIST. Challenging in form and content, their work is intended to provide insight into the relationship between human society and the natural world. Carr and Hawes-Davis also have worked extensively as free-lance camera operators, producers, directors, and editors, assisting with documentaries, television, web video, and non-profit/corporate video production. Hawes-Davis is the founder of the annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Now in its ninth year, the festival is consistently recognized as one of the world's finest documentary cinema events. Both Carr and Hawes-Davis remain involved in festival programming and development.

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Now in its 9th year, The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has become the largest cinema event in Montana and the premiere venue for non-fiction film in the American West. In 2010, the festival drew an audience of 12,000 and received nearly 1000 film entries from every corner of the globe. A unique setting for filmmakers to premiere new work and for audiences to see innovative new films and also classics in the genre, the festival presents an average of 125 non-fiction films annually at the historic Wilma Theater in downtown Missoula, hosting over fifty visiting artists. In addition to screenings, public events include panel discussions, workshops, pitch sessions, panel discussions, parties and receptions. Special retrospective programs have included the films of The Maysles Brothers, Kartemquin Films, Frederick Wiseman, Joe Berlinger, Doug Pray, and Les Blank. Special guests have included Indy Rock legends Yo La Tengo, Academy Award® winning director Steve James (Hoop Dreams), Les Blank (Burden of Dreams), Greg Barker (Sergio) Joe Berlinger (Crude), Ron Mann (Grass), Brendan Canty & Christoph Green (the Burn To Shine series) Chuck Workman (The Life & Times of Andy Warhol) Hart & Dana Heinz Perry (Sex: The Revolution). Recent Award winners at the festival have included This Way Of Life (Thomas Burstyn) Steam of Life (Joonas Berghäll & Mika Hotakainen) Last Train Home (Lixin Fan), Sweetgrass (Ilisa Barbash & Lucien Castaing-Taylor), Gasland (Josh Fox), Rough Aunties (Kim Longinotto), Ashes of American Flags (Brendan Canty & Christoph Green) In A Dream (Jeremiah Zagar), and Bronx Princess (Yoni Brook & Musa Syeed).

Big Sky Film Series
The Big Sky Film Series is a periodic monthly screening series highlighting traditional and innovative non-fiction film and video. Screenings typically take place the first Friday of the month as part of downtown Missoula, Montana's "Art Walk." Screenings are held at venues throughout downtown Missoula.

Fiscal Sponsorship/Filmmaker Mentorship
The Big Sky Film Institute offers non-profit fiscal sponsorship and consulting to selected independent film projects each year. The program allows filmmakers the opportunity to accept foundation support and tax-deductible donations to fund their projects.

Current Sponsored Projects
THE LIBERATION, dir. Brendan Canty & Christoph Green

Past Sponsored Projects
WINTER IN THE BLOOD, dir. Alex & Andrew Smith

Big Sky Doc Shop
The Big Sky Doc Shop is held for several days each year during the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. The conference-style event includes panel discussions, workshops, work-in-progress screenings, and public pitch sessions with broadcasters, distributors and commissioning editors.