STARTING CONVERSATIONS AROUND STORIES THAT MATTER
26,020 attendees joined us for ten blissful and snow-covered days in downtown Missoula, and online in our virtual cinema. Attendees represented countless Montana cities, U.S. states and 20 countries including Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and others. Online viewers tuned in from 41 cities across Montana, 43 U.S. states, 21 nations and 20 international counties.
The BSDFF audience continues to trend in the highly educated demographic, with over 80% in their earning prime age and over a third holding a post graduate degree. Over 90% spend an average of 5 nights in Missoula and nearly three quarters of attendees attend events on 3+ days of the festival, with over 30% of attendees traveling from outside Missoula to attend the festival. Our loyal patrons continue to be overwhelmingly loyal and engaged, spending nearly $12.5 million in downtown Missoula and making a February visit to Missoula for the festival part of their annual plan.
IMPACT
4TH WORLD MEDIA LAB
Now in its eleventh year, the 4th World Media Lab continues to serve as a vital space for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers to develop their craft, strengthen their networks, and advance projects rooted in cultural integrity and community care. This year’s cohort gathers five visionary artists from across Turtle Island and Pasifika, whose work reflects both artistic rigor and deep relational accountability. A unique collaboration with Points North Institute, Seattle International Film Festival, and $th World Media, 4th World works to open doors for Indigenous artists and perspectives across the film industry and beyond.
Reach & impressions
Social engagement soared during the 2025-26 season, marked by a 20% growth in followers and 350,000 total impressions. Our multi-channel approach—spanning e-newsletters, radio promotions, and paid media—amplified the festival’s atmosphere and ensured significant visibility for our partners. We are thrilled to have reached over 40,000 accounts, bringing local and regional attention to the storytellers and sponsors of our 23rd edition.
FILM FREEWAY TOP 100 & MORE!
As an Academy Award® qualifying festival, Big Sky serves as a premier launchpad for short-form non-fiction. Winners of our Best Short and Best Mini-Doc categories earn automatic eligibility to compete for a Documentary Short Oscar® in the following cycle. Our commitment to filmmakers is consistently recognized on a national scale; for the last decade Big Sky has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.
"Big Sky is worth attending for the gorgeous location alone, and the very walkable festival makes the trip easier by assisting with lodging and local transport. But it’s also one of the best places on earth for documentarians to find collaborators, backers and companies to release their film,“ says MovieMaker Editor-in-Chief Tim Molloy in 2024. “In great and bad times for documentaries — and in its 20-something years, Big Sky has seen both — it has kept the focus on its core mission of putting great films in front of appreciative audiences."
2026 COMPETITION WINNERS
A huge congratulations to the visionaries behind the 23rd annual festival winning films! This year’s honors included three Special Jury Awards for Artistic Vision across the Feature, Big Sky, and Short categories. Following a live celebration at the historic Wilma Theater, our winners - selected by a distinguished jury panel of industry experts - took home cash prizes to support their future work. Most notably, the top films in our Short and Mini-Doc competitions have officially secured eligibility for the 2026 Academy Awards®.
TESTIMONIALS
In their own words. Beyond the screenings and the late-night discussions, it’s the people who truly define the Big Sky experience. From our Montana neighbors to international storytellers, see what the community had to say about an unforgettable ten days of cinema and connection this past February.
From film participant Emily Sullivan (SHAPED BY LAND):
“What can I say? This was one of the best film festival experiences I've ever had. Everything was clearly communicated, organized, and facilitated. The staff were all incredibly helpful and accommodating. The networking was absolutely top notch. Big Sky has done a wonderful job of cultivating a community that I'm so happy to now be a part of. Doc Shop is also an incredible resource. Can't wait to be back in the future...”
BUT WAIT, IT DOESN’t END WITH THE FEST!
The Big Sky Film Institute is a year-round non-profit powered by the belief that documentary film can change the world. By providing artist development, fiscal sponsorship, and a robust youth education pipeline, we are equipping the next generation of storytellers with the tools they need to lead.
This past festival season was a whirlwind of inspiration: our classroom screenings reached almost 9,000 students across Montana, our Youth Fellows celebrated their world premieres, and the Teen Doc Intensive crew successfully produced a short film in just 72 hours. Tap below to see how Big Sky is shaping the future of media.
UP NEXT
LEANING INTO OUR THIRD DECADE
Twenty years of world-class storytelling in Missoula has taught us one thing: documentaries have the power to move us toward action. The Big Sky Film Institute is more than a festival; it is a leading arts and education 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the transformative power of documentary film. Our work empowers a diverse range of filmmakers, promotes media literacy for all ages and presents global perspectives that inspire our engaged communities.
Our mission is packed with agency, serving everyone from local youth to international filmmakers. As we navigate a shifting world, the Institute is scaling up. We are taking bold steps to increase our capacity and deepen our roots in the community. We ask you to stand with us. Your support ensures that the conversations started on our screens continue year-round. Support the Big Sky Film Institute today and invest in the power of perspective.