Filmmakers in Montana to Receive Big Dollars from Grants

The state of Montana and many of the picturesque locations that are within it have been the highlight of many movies over the years.  Hollywood has visited many times, even here in Great Falls, with films like Thunderbolt and Lightfoot or Holy Matrimony.

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The lure of the landscape isn't the only thing that entices filmmakers from Tinseltown to set up tripods and cameras.  Money is also a big part of them choosing the state, and the Big Sky Film Grant Program has just awarded nearly $1 million dollars to 22 of those that chose Montana.

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Filmmakers in Montana to Receive Big Dollars from Grants

For filmmakers interested in making Montana part of the scenery, the Montana Department of Commerce division's Big Sky Film Grant Program awards monies each year.  The money is derived from the state bed tax and allocated for selected filmmakers who apply for a grant.

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The program "elevates and supports Montana filmmakers, crew and businesses that provide products, services and locations to the film industry. To qualify, a production must film 50% or more of the principal photography days in Montana" according to the MDOC website.

Over 100 Applicants Apply for Filmmaking Grants Through State of Montana

Applications for grant money this year totaled 124, with 22 of those receiving a grant for the 2026 year.  Those grants vary in amounts to projects, with the agency handing out $970,000 in funding to film on-location productions across the state.

The Montana DOC is hoping their nearly $1 million dollar investment will pay big dividends in the end for the state.  Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio stated about the grants that "We estimate that these 22 film projects will spend approximately $13.2 million in Montana. Additionally, these productions will help boost the economies of many rural Montana communities, including Arlee, Circle, Deer Lodge, Pray and White Sulphur Springs."  You can read the full press release here.