Bozeman Film Festival Inc
About Bozeman Film Festival Inc
Bozeman Film Society gives Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley a place to see independent films, documentaries, and world cinema on the big screen. It pairs those screenings with guest speakers and community events, so a night at the movies can also mean hearing from people with something real to add. Donations help keep that kind of year-round film access rooted downtown, while also supporting the Bozeman Film Festival and scholarship opportunities tied to Montana State University film students.
This is a film organization with deep local roots and a long downtown presence, not just a place to catch a screening. It keeps independent, foreign-language, and documentary films in front of local audiences year-round, while also building in speakers, partnerships, scholarships, and a planned festival.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Independent film screenings
Year-round screenings of newly released independent, foreign-language, and documentary feature films.
Special programming with guest speakers
Film screenings paired with guest speakers who have expertise in filmmaking and topics relevant to the films.
Community awareness and fundraising events
Events with outside groups that create awareness and fundraising opportunities for local charities.
Bozeman Film Festival
A four-day festival featuring premieres, panels, Q&A sessions, parties, and awards.
MSU scholarship opportunities
Scholarship support connected to Montana State University film students.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Bozeman Film Society serves and enriches the Bozeman community by bringing independent films, documentaries, and world cinema to an audience that would otherwise not have access to them on a big screen.
Who they serve
Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley community, including audiences seeking independent, documentary, foreign-language, and world cinema.
How your donation helps
- Year-round independent film screenings
- Guest speaker programs and special screenings
- The Bozeman Film Festival
- Digital projection equipment and theater technology
- Scholarship support for Montana State University film students
Our story
The story starts on the Montana State University campus in the late 1960s, when Dr. Jack Stonnell began showing classic and international films there. In 1978, those screenings moved beyond campus and into downtown Bozeman. By 1983, downtown business members and MSU faculty had registered Bozeman Film Festival, Inc. as a nonprofit celebration of film. Since then, the organization has continued to grow through new homes, adopted the dba Bozeman Film Society in 2014, bought a DCP digital projector in 2016, and is preparing a four-day Bozeman Film Festival for October 8-11, 2026.
In their words
“It’s nice to see the community, and to see the interesting, different and specialized movies. It is fun to come and be a part of it” — Earl C.
“I can see movies here that I don’t see in the theater. You show the movies I want to see.” — Lela B.
“I love the choices of movies that you bring. You do such a good job of providing a variety of films for everyone. It is so nice to have a society that brings independent films” — Hannah H.
“I’ve lived here since the 90’s… The history of bringing independent film here is amazing! I would have not survived here this long without BFS.” — Marriane F.
Events
Bozeman Film Festival
annualA four-day festival with premieres, panels, Q&A sessions, parties, and awards.
Give Big
annualAn annual fundraising campaign for independent cinema in Bozeman.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Bozeman Film Festival Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Attendance at screenings
- Sponsorships for the Bozeman Film Festival
- Donations to support year-round independent cinema
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of films does Bozeman Film Society screen?
It shows newly released independent, foreign-language, and documentary feature films, along with selected special programming.
Does Bozeman Film Society offer events with speakers?
Yes. Some screenings are paired with guest speakers who bring expertise in filmmaking and in the topics connected to the films.
Does Bozeman Film Society work with community groups?
Yes. It partners with outside groups on events that create awareness and fundraising opportunities for local charities.
What is the Bozeman Film Festival?
It is a four-day festival planned for October 8-11, 2026, with premieres, panels, Q&A sessions, parties, and awards.
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