THE IWFF LABS PROGRAM Supporting filmmakers in the pursuit of creating dynamic and accurate science media.
A 2023 Update: This program is on hiatus for the time being.
LABS 2022 Films created in residency at the International Wildlife Film Festival
VIEW FILM: Ridgetop to Ridgetop
Watershed Management in the West
BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE
The Blackfoot Challenge is redefining cooperative & community-based resource management in the west. Our filmmakers will explore how the BC is coordinating sustainable and equitable watershed management in the Blackfoot Valley.
Created by 2022 IWFF LABS Fellows Johnny Holder, Andrea Odezynska, and Kika Tuff.
VIEW FILM: Restoring The Spirit of Place
CSKT Resource Management
Wildlife Management along the HWY 93 Corridor.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have an award-winning natural resource management team that looks after the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness, The National Bison Range, and Flathead Lake, as well as the resource management across the entire reservation. Our filmmakers will explore the methods and consequences of wildlife management along the HWY 93 corridor, which passes through this beautiful country and sees high wildlife and vehicle traffic throughout the year.
Created by 2022 IWFF LABS Fellows Lara Tomov, Nick Stone Schearer, and Jerry van de Beek.
The 2022 IWFF LABS Fellowship 2022 Residency: April 22-30
IWFF invites SIX filmmakers (those who held a key role within one of the 2022 selections) to be special guests of the festival. LABS fellows will receive lodging, a travel stipend, a commission fee, and will represent their film at local screenings and in Q&A sessions.
The visiting filmmakers take part in a collaborative filmmaking experience as they craft a 3-5 minute film focused on a Montana Wildlife conservation subject. The film subjects are vetted by LABS producers beforehand and, depending on the subject, may come with some previously shot footage. LABS will supply a full camera and audio package, an Adobe CC editing suite, studio space and lighting equipment if needed, and the promise of quality time in the Montana wilderness.
The teams are hand-curated by the IWFF staff to encompass exceptional inventiveness, creativity, technical capability, fresh perspectives, and a variety of experience levels that are conducive to exciting collaborations. We also hope to emphasize the creative spirit and joy that comes with making a short film with talented people when work agendas and higher stakes are left off the table. Though the fellowship is nine days and comes with the expectation of a finished short - this retreat experience allows fellows ample time to enjoy the festival, and springtime in Missoula, Montana.
Finished films are presented to the Missoula audience at the Wilma Theater, during IWFF’s 2022 Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 28th and will live on through the filmmaking team, the festival and the highlighted organization’s wishes.
Write to [email protected] for further information.