Ambitious Project Plans to Shoot Several Montana Films in One Week

Montana’s wide-open spaces, rivers, and stunning mountain valleys have been the backdrop for plenty of films over the years, typically to the chagrin of locals. We might be secretly proud of movies or TV shows filmed here, but most of us don't love the downsides that come with Montana's fame. "It is what it is," we say.

SIDE NOTE: Here's a fun fact for you... The first film ever shot in Montana happened in 1879! 

A creative initiative called Project Firebreak is gearing up to film several original short films in just one week, primarily in the Pablo, MT area, as the backdrop. The ambitious concept is the brainchild of award-winning writer and producer Dr. AY Heath of Mystic Scribe Studios.

Read More: Jobs Jamboree Connects Job Seekers And Employers

“This was about testing what’s possible when creative trust meets focused execution,” said Dr. Heath in a press release. “Project Firebreak isn’t just about speed—it’s about building a sustainable model for bold, independent storytelling.”

The project will bring together a mix of veteran filmmakers, locals, and emerging talent to produce the short films, which will range from character-driven dramas to thrillers. Organizers say the shorts are designed to act as proof-of-concept pieces for potential feature-length projects down the road.

Get our free mobile app

There’s also a strong focus on opportunity for locals.

The production involves several Montana students, actors, and aspiring filmmakers, giving them a chance to see what happens behind the scenes on a real film set.  Filming is expected to kick off later this spring for all of the short films.

Below are details on some of the films.

Refresh

Melanie Rae Wendt has been cast in the lead role of Kira in Refresh. Wendt is a Montana-based actress with a rich background in both stage and screen. She'll portray "a woman confronting the weight of memory and public fallout after a life-altering event."

Butte actor and United States Marine Corps veteran David Coleman II has been cast as Silas in the film.

Witness Security

This short film sounds fun; the movie "explores tension, identity, and the cost of survival under pressure" and stars Fallon Andria Rufus as Tasha.

Echoes of a Forgotten Path

Brian Koponen will play Howard, a man set in the Montana wilderness who is "navigating age, memory, and instinct."

Lost Mail

Montana-born actor Patrick Carter, a University of Montana graduate with credits including Yellowstone and 1923, has been cast as Jack in Lost Mail, "a deeply personal story rooted in themes of veteran support, mental health, and the quiet battles many carry long after service ends."

Each of these short films has piqued my interest.

I love that they're doing things low-budget. I love that they're featuring several locals in the movies, and that for this one week of filming in Montana, they can perhaps share a unique, not-Hollywood perspective of Montana's famous entertainment backdrop.

We'll post an update when the film projects are released and how you can watch them.