Big Sky documentary festival set for Missoula

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival will be held Feb. 17-23 in downtown Missoula at the historic Wilma Theater.

This year's festival will showcase over 75 non-fiction films from all styles, formats and production dates.

Festival audiences will view distinctive non-fiction works from more than 15 countries around the world. Nearly all of the films will be shown for the first time to Montana audiences. Viewers will have a unique opportunity to see and hear from many of the filmmakers during question and answer sessions following many screenings. The festival will also offer a free discussion panel with filmmakers in the downstairs of the Wilma building on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

In addition to the world and United States premieres, there is also a retrospective series that will showcase over 40 years of work by two of America's longest-running independent production houses, Maysles Films of New York and Kartemquin Films of Chicago.

Each 12-hour festival day will include an average of eight different screenings. Ticket prices are as follows: all-screenings pass, $50; five-screenings pass, $25; single-screening ticket, $6 evenings and $5 matinees. Professors and teachers are encouraged to contact the fesitval for discounted group student passes. Festival passes are also available for credit card purchase at www.bigskyfilmfest.org

Winners of the festival's three categories will be showcased at an awards benefit presentation on Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. at the Crystal Theater and Bridge Bistro located at 515 S. Higgins. Guests will join with judges and filmmakers to begin the special evening during an intimate gathering prior to the screenings. Tickets for the limited seating benefit are $35.

A complete list of films and festival information is available at bigskyfilmfest.org