Big Sky

Big Sky is a five-year-old documentary film festival held in Missoula, Montana held during mid-February (14-20, 2008). The festival only accepts documentary projects and last year received around 1000 entries for the roughly 100 available spots. Filmmakers can apply through Big Sky's own entry form or they can submit their work through Withoutabox. Applications deadlines and prices are: Mini-doc - <15min.>50min
Early: July 1 Mini-$20, Short-$25, Feature-$35
Regular: September 1 Mini-$25, Short-$35, Feature-$45
Final: October 20 Mini-$35, Short-$45, Feature-$55

Festival Passes are $100 for all screening and $250 for the screenings and parties pass. The festival is friendly towards all formats of presentation. They screen 35mm and have also screened a doc made w/ a digital still camera set to movie mode. They welcome "experimental" films (at least in the website). However, there is no discount for student films (though in 2004 a student was the winner). The festival will not provide for travel or lodging, but will help w/ food and alcohol expenses (and a free passes). Seems like a friendly festival in a beautiful valley.