$2.6 Million in Big Sky Film Grant Funding Awarded to 67 Filmed-in-Montana Productions

Filming in Montana HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced today that 67 film creations will share more than $2.6 million in grant funding to film on-location productions across the state. The grant funding is awarded through the Commerce’s Big Sky Film Grant (BSFG) program.

“Commerce’s Film Office promotes Montana as a business destination for film production companies to expand production in our state, increase job opportunities, promote small business growth and to promote tourism,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “These 67 film projects are expected to spend an estimated $35 million in Montana and will bring in productions that will help boost the economies of many rural Montana communities, including Plentywood, Cohagen, Lame Deer, Poplar, Dillon, Clyde Park, Choteau, Pryor, Roberts, Virginia City and Pray.”

A total of 150 projects requested more than $25 million in grant dollars this year, with $2.6 million available through the competitive grants for fiscal year 2024. The grants are awarded to eligible production projects in four categories: Feature Film and TV; Feature Film and TV - Resident Only; Short-Form Content; and Short-Form Content - Resident Only.

The following projects will receive Big Sky Film Grant funding:

Feature Film and Television Grants:

Feature Film and Television - Resident Only Grants:

Short-Form Content Grants:

Short-Form Content - Resident Only Grants:

Since the BSFG program started in 2013, nearly 350 film projects have received over $11 million of grant funding to assist with those productions.

The Montana Film Office is part of the Department of Commerce and is funded by an allocation of the lodging facility use tax, commonly known as the “bed tax.” In 2023, Senate Bill 540 of the 68th Montana Legislature revised laws related to state-funded tourism promotion to require a specific allocation of lodging facility use tax for Montana-based film grants.

For more information about the Big Sky Film Grant, visit montanafilm.com.

Tags: Brand MT