News - Location News

In their 10th year at Sundance, the Montana Film Commission held a reception for filmmakers and friends of Montana at the Movie Media Group Studio on Main Street to announce the winners of the Pitch the 406 Contest. “This contest was designed to encourage filmmakers from all over the country to apply to Montana to win a $20,000 grant toward the production of the next film,” said Montana Film Commission Director Sten Iverson.

A panel of Hollywood judges with ties to Montana judged the event, including Location Manager Mike Fantasia, Producer Marty Katz and First Assistant Cameraman Eric Brown. Filmmaker Matthew Smaglik and his team were the contest winners and will receive a $20,000 production package to produce their project Magpie.

Magpie explores the current Bakken oil boom in eastern Montana, telling the fictional story of a ranch family and how it adapts to the changing world. The script outlines the struggles of a stepfather and his daughter over control and ownership of their family’s future — torn between the fortunes to be made in the oil boom and keeping the traditions of family ranching alive.

Smaglik and his production company, Sanshead Studios, will begin scouting locations in eastern Montana this spring and plan to shoot this summer.

Matthew Smaglik, Writer Director    
Sten Iverson, Montana Film Commissioner 
Steven Hilton, Producer 
Alisha Dyk, Co-Producer
Michael Gaughan, Co-Producer