Missoula’s creative spirit shines year-round. Framed by mountain peaks and home to an arts-loving community, Missoula has a history of embracing storytelling in all its forms. Throughout the year, Missoula’s theaters and community venues play home to a surprisingly large number of film festivals that celebrate everything from global stories and environmental causes to recreational adventures and underrepresented voices. Missoula’s love for cultural exploration truly takes center stage when the lights dim and the projectors hum at our many annual film festivals.
Every February, global documentary storytelling makes a big splash as over 20,000+ viewers flock to Missoula for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Screenings of feature-length and short documentary films are shown at venues including the historic Wilma and the Roxy Theater, where internationally-recognized nonfiction films take center stage.
Each April, the Roxy Theater plays host to this long-running festival which features films centered on wildlife and conservation. The International Wildlife Film Festival’s documentaries and shorts are sure to inspire conservation ethics and celebrate the diverse wildlife on our planet. In addition, the International Wildlife Film Festival also includes a WildWalk–dress up as your favorite flora or fauna and walk, hop, or crawl down Higgins Ave. at this annual beloved event.
Each fall, the Montana Film Festival highlights the creativity and visions of local filmmakers with distinctive Western voices. Since 2015, This community-driven festival, primarily screened at the Roxy Theater, has showcased independent narrative films and documentary films from around the world with a special emphasis on Montana-made filmmakers, highlighting emergent independent talents, with special attention paid to narrative fiction cinema, animation, and Montana’s flourishing film industry
As the name suggests, the Mountain Running Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating all things trail running, endurance and the spirit of mountain running culture. Held annually in November, at the Wilma , the featured short films and documentaries bring together running enthusiasts and nature lovers to inspire and invigorate.
Each June, QueerWest Film Fest showcases LGBTQ2S voices and perspectives on the American West. Hosted at the Roxy Theater, this festival includes lively Q&As, panel discussions and mixers. features narrative films, documentaries and shorts that explore regional, Western identity and inclusive storytelling. Queer West Film Fest celebrates not only the stories of queer life on the coasts, but the lives, adventures, and pain of LGBTQ2S people living under the majesty, power, and complicated history of the American West.
Each winter, the Backcountry Film Festival presented by Winter Wildlands Alliance celebrates winter adventures in the backcountry, from heartfelt journeys of love and friendship to bold explorations in remote corners of the world. Hosted at the Wilma, the featured films and shorts explore human-powered winter recreation such as skiing, snowboarding and backcountry explorations.
The Equus International Film Festival, first all-equine international film festival and conference in the Northern Rockies, is an annual festival, each fall that explores the connection between humans and horses. Held at various ventures across Missoula, this festival screens documentaries and narrative films that explore horse culture, heritage and the powerful bond between people and these magnificent animals.
