2007 Press Releases
December 2007
MFO Manager Elected to AFCI Board
Montana Film Office Manager (MFO), Sten Iversen, was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). He will serve a two-year term. Travel Montana Administrator Betsy Baumgart noted "We are very pleased by Sten's election to the board. He has served the organization for many years as an educator and on issue-based task forces and we are happy he now has the opportunity to serve in a more formal capacity."
AFCI is the official professional and educational organization for film commissions. AFCI members assist with feature, television, commercial, industrial and still production throughout the world. There are 320 film commissions that are served by a board of fourteen. "Montana now has a leadership role in the global stage," stated Iversen, "and the AFCI advisory board that I will be working closely with is comprised of key members from the Motion Picture Association of America, Warner Brothers Studios, MGM Studios, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers and a number of other feature film production companies. My hope is this will result in additional press in the trade publications and greater opportunities for Montana to market to the film industry." Iversen has been with the Montana Film Office since 1996 and has been the manager since 2001.
November 2007
Montana Film Office News
The Montana Film Office (MFO) has returned from a successful Hatchfest 2007. The Audiovisual Arts Festival takes place annually in October in Bozeman, MT where it has continued to grow and attract the attention of the filmmaking world.
Hatchfest is a festival based on mentorship. Each year groundbreaking new filmmakers are chosen to screen their works at Hatchfest. Those selected then meet and are mentored by industry leaders who attend the festival. This year film industry leaders such as Dan Lin, the Senior Vice President of Production at Warner Brothers and Richard Lewis, the CEO of Southpaw Entertainment joined with many other top professionals to sit on panels and hold mentoring sessions with those in attendance.
The MFO was a sponsor of these efforts and has been a supporter of Hatchfest since its inception. The MFO hosted a VIP "Welcome to Montana" Reception for the mentors and also had a booth presence in the Emerson Cultural Center throughout the event.
October 2007
Montana Film Office Taps New Market
New York, NY is second only to Los Angeles, CA as a center for film production in the United States. The Montana Film Office tapped a new market with their recent sponsorship of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) in New York City, which occurred September 16 – 21, 2007. IFP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the production of Independent Film and Documentary Programming
The IFP Market is an industry-only venue that brings together filmmakers and film buyers such as distributors, buyers and television networks. The vast majority of attendees of the Market are filmmakers. The Montana Film Office was one of only four Film Commissions to have a presence at the Film Makers Greenroom. Film Office Manager, Sten Iversen, attended the Market distributing information on Montana’s newly improved production incentive "The Big Sky on the Big Screen Act." Iversen also made many contacts with both feature and documentary filmmakers interested in Montana as a film location.
The Montana Film Office will be pitching Montana as a film location in November at the American Filmmakers Institute's International Film Festival (AFI Fest) in Hollywood, CA.
September 2007
New Independent Film to Shoot in Montana this Fall
Acclaimed writer and director Jim Kouf has selected Montana as the filming location for his upcoming film A FORK IN THE ROAD.
This fictional Montana tale, co-written by Kouf and Alan DiFiore, is a dark, caper comedy about the many forks in the road of life and the consequences of selecting a path. In A FORK IN THE ROAD, an escaped convict and a young woman beset with relationship troubles try to run from their problems and bounce from one mishap to the next, while always intending to do the right thing. The duo meets several nasty characters along the way, yet manage to elude disaster.
"It’s exciting to see a story that’s both set in Big Sky Country and filmed in Big Sky Country," said Governor Brain Schweitzer. "Montana provides unparalleled beauty and versatility for filmmakers. We have top notch landscapes, film crews and tax incentives, and our assets are attracting business."
"Film production in Montana has endless benefits for our local economies, our college graduates, and our profile around the world," said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "Film production makes money for Montana, and it’s a clean industry we can be proud of."
A FORK IN THE ROAD will be directed by Jim Kouf and produced by Paul Bernard, and James Scura, and executive produced by Bart Bartkowski. Kouf has written, produced or directed numerous successful movies including, National Treasure, Snow Dogs, Rush Hour, Stakeout and Con Air.
The film will start production in the Laurel, Livingston and Bozeman areas this fall.
August 2007
HBO Films Selects Montana for Setting
Acclaimed writer and director Jim Kouf has selected Montana as the filming location for his upcoming film A FORK IN THE ROAD.
Governor Brian Schweitzer announced that HBO Films has selected Montana as the filming location for its upcoming film TAKING CHANCE, starring Kevin Bacon.Based on the first-person account of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl (USMC), who will be portrayed by Bacon, the film chronicles his poignant journey as the volunteer military escort officer who is assigned to accompany the body of 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps (USMC), who was killed in action in Iraq, across America back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming in spring 2004.
"I am proud HBO Films has selected Montana to be the backdrop for this compelling story about a fallen hero’s final journey home from Iraq," Governor Brian Schweitzer said. "This is an American tale that speaks deeply to many Montana families and it is an honor to participate."
The Montana Department of Commerce and Montana Film Office are thrilled to work with HBO Films on this important endeavor," Commerce Director Anthony Preite said. "Improvements to the already successful Big Sky on the Big Screen Act are creating more opportunities for the film industry here in Montana."
This spring the Montana State Legislature passed a measure to improve the already successful Big Sky on the Big Screen Act, spearheaded by Governor Brian Schweitzer. The new tax incentive package provides film companies larger tax incentives on production expenditures incurred while on location in Montana, and encourages large scale productions by eliminating a cap on the credits.
Production companies are now given a 14 percent incentive rebate on all Montana labor hired for film production and a nine percent rebate on all production-related Montana expenditures including lodging, equipment rental, fuel, lumber and construction materials.
The 2005 Big Sky on the Big Screen Act provided for a 12 percent tax credit on Montana labor used during filming, and 8 percent for money spent on goods and services in Montana. It also capped the tax credits on the first million dollars spent.
TAKING CHANCE will start production in Bozeman and Ennis this summer and debut on HBO in 2008.
July 2007
MFO "Reel" Connected
In the midst of a busy summer schedule coordinating film shoots and scouts, the Montana Film Office (MFO) is implementing a new comprehensive database system which will integrate all of the film office data in one interconnected database. All of the film inquiry and project data is being transferred along with the entire contact and location photo databases.
The new state-of-the-art system is so powerful that when a record is pulled up on a project the user is not only able to see all the information on that particular project, but they will also be able to review the location photos that have been sent to the director, along with various specifics such as if the producer received the MFO direct marketing campaign and whether or not he/she attended a VIP reception that the MFO hosted at a film festival in years past. "It will not only make the office more efficient and reduce paper, it will allow us to better track our marketing efforts" said Film Office Manager Sten Iversen. "This database stores and connects everything you would like it to about a contact, and the minute that contact calls about a particular project, that information is at your fingertips."
Reel-Scout is becoming the database standard for film commissions and the MFO is eagerly working on its implementation. The system will have over 10,000 images in its searchable database. The new system’s planned launch date is August 15, 2007.
Libby, MT- July 4, 2007
Broadcast Premiere on Acclaimed PBS Series, P.O.V. Tyepcast Films to release DVD. Release Date: August 28, 2007.
PBS Stations Nation-Wide (check your local listings)
Nestled below the rugged peaks of the Northern Rockies in Montana-as iconic a representation of America's "purple mountain majesties" as one can find-lies the worst case of community-wide exposure to a toxic substance in U.S. history. In the small town of Libby, many hundreds of people are sick or have already died from asbestos exposure. LIBBY, MONTANA takes a long working day's journey into a blue-collar community, and finds a different reality-one where the American Dream exacts a terrible price.
LIBBY, MONTANA chronicles:
--More than 200 deaths and hundreds of victims with asbestos-related lung abnormalities;
--one of the worst public health crises in U. S. history;
--events that led to a ten-count criminal indictment against top executives and managers of W. R. Grace and Company
Watch the film:
Don't miss the broadcast premiere nation-wide on the PBS Series P.O.V. (Point of View) on August 28, 2007 (check your local listings). P.O.V. is the nation's longest-running television showcase for independent documentary storytelling. P.O.V. celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a new slate of PBS on consecutive Tuesdays at 10 p.m., June through October with prime-time specials over the year. www.pov.org
Order the DVD:
A new two-disc DVD set will soon be available from Typecast Films (IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS, ENCOUNTER POINT, RANA'S WEDDING). The DVD will include the 2-hour Directors' cut of the movie, plus deleted scenes, trailers and more. It will also include the full CD Soundtrack featuring the original score by Ned Mudd and tracks from Ivan Rosenberg and Aaron Parrett. Pre-order home video and institutional DVDs at www.typecastfilms.com
Missoula, MT- March 7, 2007
Letter from Governor to IWFF attendees
Dear Friends, Filmmakers & International Visitors,
I am pleased to welcome you to the International Wildlife Film Festival. Now celebrating its 30th year, it is the longest running wildlife film festival in the world and one of the premier international film celebrations, bringing thousands of visitors to Missoula annually. We're glad you're here!
As you watch some of the greatest wildlife and natural history films ever made and participate in the many exciting and important events of festival week, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy all that makes Montana a special place --- the great outdoors, magnificent scenery, amazing wildlife, and the best Western hospitality!
Many of the films of IWFF have been shot in and around Montana and this region because of our natural beauty and incredible wildlife. Montana welcomes filmmakers from every corner of the globe and our Montana Film Office is always ready to help you make the best film possible.
As visitors to Montana, we welcome you to one of the most beautiful settings in the world --- breathtaking vistas, awesome scenery, amazing wildlife, and non stop outdoor adventure. As you explore the Garden City, taking in the sights and sounds of historic downtown Missoula, you will discover a cultural gem of galleries, restaurants, shops, cafes, museums and unsurpassed recreational opportunities.
The International Wildlife Film Festival and its year round organization, the International Media Center headquartered at the historic Roxy Theater, has helped to establish Montana as an internationally renowned media center, where filmmaking, science and education come together to inspire, to teach and to entertain.
Thank you for your support of the 30th International Wildlife Film Festival. We hope you enjoy the films, the many events and the great resources that our city and state have to offer.
Please join me in celebrating and supporting all that makes Montana such a special place!
BRIAN SCHWEITZER
Governor
