Montana Film Office
Info
Locations
Incentives
Film Credits
Contact
Introduction to Filming in Montana
Montana certainly lives up to its nickname as the Big Sky State. Spectacular national parks—Yellowstone and Glacier—are the highlights of an incredible landscape of roaring rivers, dramatic mountain ranges and serene prairies. Montana has been the site of historical battles, prehistoric dinosaurs and unforgettable vacations, and its blend of landscapes will appeal to productions who seek an epic scope.
About the Montana Film Office
Established in 1974, the Montana Film Office at the Montana Department of Commerce markets Montana as a business destination for production companies and provides technical assistance to productions that choose Montana. It is the responsibility of our office to ensure the state is film friendly. We work with producers to find locations that fit their script and serve as their liaison through every phase of their production.
Producers have come to depend on the Montana Film Office to help navigate permitting, understand regulation processes and assist in location nuances. In the film industry, time really is money. A state’s willingness and ability to facilitate film productions often becomes a factor in choosing their location.
A Few Filming Locations in Montana
Yellowstone Film Ranch
Butte
Gunslinger Gulch
Old Montana Prison
Billings
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Yellowstone Film Ranch
This Western backlot is styled after 1800s gold rush towns and uses five fully functional interior/exterior sets with support buildings to create 28 unique structures against the backdrop of Emigrant Peak. Buildings include a church, saloon, general store and barn, in addition to a main street for shootouts and establishing shots.
A Few Filming Locations in Montana
Yellowstone Film Ranch
This Western backlot is styled after 1800s gold rush towns and uses five fully functional interior/exterior sets with support buildings to create 28 unique structures against the backdrop of Emigrant Peak. Buildings include a church, saloon, general store and barn, in addition to a main street for shootouts and establishing shots.
Learn More
Butte
The largest historic district in the country was transformed for the location shoot of 1923 starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. The Highland Mountains and east-ridge of the Continental Divide surround the city of Butte. Productions can utilize the stately mansions and Victorian architecture of the uptown business district as well as the numerous ghost towns in outlying areas.
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Butte
The largest historic district in the country was transformed for the location shoot of 1923 starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. The Highland Mountains and east-ridge of the Continental Divide surround the city of Butte. Productions can utilize the stately mansions and Victorian architecture of the uptown business district as well as the numerous ghost towns in outlying areas.
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Gunslinger Gulch
This unique old west Montana town is located on 52 acres ringed by mountains reaching 10,400 feet high and features a brothel, jailhouse, log cabin, boarding house and on-site guest ranch that lend authenticity to Western-themed films and TV shows.
Gunslinger Gulch
This unique old west Montana town is located on 52 acres ringed by mountains reaching 10,400 feet high and features a brothel, jailhouse, log cabin, boarding house and on-site guest ranch that lend authenticity to Western-themed films and TV shows.
Learn More
Old Montana Prison
The oldest Territorial Prison in the Western United States dates back to 1870 and features immense grey sandstone walls. The prison was decommissioned in 1979, but the facility still houses cells, warden’s quarters, yards, a chapel and gates for your next prison-set production.
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Old Montana Prison
The oldest Territorial Prison in the Western United States dates back to 1870 and features immense grey sandstone walls. The prison was decommissioned in 1979, but the facility still houses cells, warden’s quarters, yards, a chapel and gates for your next prison-set production.
Learn More
Learn More
Billings
Montana’s largest city offers easy access to the Yellowstone River, Crow Indian Reservation and local talent. Popular locations include the Billings Depot (a massive passenger station that can accommodate hundreds of extras), the Moss Mansion (a 28-room building with original furnishings) and the Rimrocks (an environment of ancient sandstone cliffs and hiking trails).
Billings
Montana’s largest city offers easy access to the Yellowstone River, Crow Indian Reservation and local talent. Popular locations include the Billings Depot (a massive passenger station that can accommodate hundreds of extras), the Moss Mansion (a 28-room building with original furnishings) and the Rimrocks (an environment of ancient sandstone cliffs and hiking trails).
Learn More
Incentives & Rebates
Navigating the world of film production, financial incentives and tax rebates plays a crucial role in bringing your vision to life while maximizing your budget. This section outlines the range of incentives, tax rebates and financial support available to filmmakers choosing this location.
Montana offers a 20% transferable income tax credit on production expenditures in the state with additional amounts that can increase the credit up to 35% of the production company’s base investment in the tax year. These per production, additional incentives include 25% of compensation for Montana resident crew members, 15% of compensation for out-of-state crew and 20% of above-the-line compensation (actor, director, producer, writer).
Learn More About Rebates & Incentives
Films That Call Montana Home
Montana boasts a rich history in filmmaking, providing the perfect backdrop for a diverse array of movies. Explore the titles that have transformed this space into a canvas for storytelling, and envision how your project could be the next to add to its legacy.
Film Credits
- The Last Beyond
- Yellowstone
- Mickey and the Bear
- Puppy Swap
- Radioflash
- Robert the Bruce
- The Beast
- Thin Line
- Any Bullet Will Do
- Wildlife
- Broken Ghost
- Buster’s Mal Heart
- Karpenter
- Return to Zion Ranch
- The Ballad of Lefty Brown
- The Forlorned
- Walking Out
- 1923
- 1883
- A River Runs Through It
- Supercell
- God’s Country
Film Credits
- Certain Women
- Dead 7
- Population Zero
- The Sighting
- Timber the Treasure Dog
- Love Like Gold
- Subterranea
- The Revenant
- Bella Vista
- Falcon Song
- Crimson Heart
- Day of the Gun
- Jimmy P.
- Nebraska
- Treasure State
- Winter in the Blood
- The Misadventures of the Dunderheads
- The Vessel
- The Shining
- Far and Away
- Mending the Line
- ….and many more
Unlock the Perfect Backdrop for Your Production
Montana Film Office
Why Contact this Location?
Diverse Locations: From bustling cityscapes to serene landscapes, find the perfect backdrop for any scene.
Permit Assistance: Simplified process to obtain necessary filming permits, ensuring a hassle-free production.
Local Production Support: Access to a network of local professionals, from crew members to equipment rental services.
Financial Incentives: Information on tax credits, grants, and other financial benefits to maximize your budget.
Location Scouting Services: Expert scouts familiar with hidden gems and iconic sites to match your script’s needs.
Accommodation Solutions: Exclusive deals and support in arranging accommodations for cast and crew.
Cultural Insight: Insights into local culture, traditions, and language to enrich your project’s authenticity.
Transport and Logistics: Assistance with transportation and logistics for equipment and personnel.
Network of Creatives: Tap into a vibrant community of filmmakers, artists, and creatives for collaboration.