2019 Special guests
Diane Cairns
Diane is the former Senior Vice President of Production for Universal Pictures. Diane earned her reputation for spearheaded noteworthy films such as Thelma and Louise, Fatal Attraction, Unfaithful, Meet the Robinson’s, and more! Diane is attending as a panelist on our Women In Film Panel, and serving as a Juror for our Best Female Director category.
Diane is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
John Dahl
John Dahl was born in Billings, Montana. He is known for his work on The Last Seduction, Kill Me Again, Rounders, The Walking Dead, and Yellowstone. John will be in attendance to support the Montana-based music documentary “…so good I can’t take it.”
John is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Michael Spears
Michael’s first role was in Dances With Wolves. He appeared in Skins, Into The West, Yellow Rock, and Longmire. He has an APA Award for best subject matter in a film and hosted the American Indian Film Institute Awards 2013.
Michael Spears will be in attendance to serve as a Juror for our Made-In-Montana Short Film Category, will serve on our Indigenous Film Panel, and will also perform a Opening Night prayer and blessing.
Angus Macfadyen
Angus played the role of Robert The Bruce in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. Since then, he is known for roles in Equilibrium, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Titus, and Cradle Will Rock. Angus will be in attendance to support his new film Robert The Bruce.
Brigitte Berman
Brigitte Berman is an Oscar-winning director for her 1985 documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is All You’ve Got. Brigitte will be in attendance to support her new film Hugh Hefner’s After Dark: Speaking Out in America.
Bob Byington
Known for Harmony and Me, Somebody Up There Likes Me, and Infinity Baby. Bob will be in attendance to support his latest, SXSW-premiering film Frances Ferguson.
Virginia Spragg
Virginia is a screenwriter with two produced credits: AN UNFINISHED LIFE (directed by Lasse Hallström, with Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, & Morgan Freeman), and AS COOL AS I AM (directed by Max Mayer, with Claire Danes, Sarah Bolger, & James Marsden). Virginia is attending as a panelist on our Women In Film Panel, and serving as a Juror for our Best Female Director Category.
Jane Lind
Aleut actress, director, choreographer and playwright, Jane Lind began her professional career at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jane's film and television credits include Percy Adlon's "Salmonberries", the miniseries "Return to Lonesome Dove" and TNT's "Crazy Horse".
Jane is attending as a panelist on our Indigenous Film Panel, and serving as a Juror for our Best Narrative Feature Category.
Grant S. Johnson
Grant is an up-and-coming director. Grant will be in attendance to support his new, Tribeca-premiering film Nighthawks.
Milan Chakraborty
Known for Plus One (2019), Assassination Nation (2018), The Lifeguard (2013), Where Hope Grows (2014), My Friend Dahmer (2017), Batman Begins (2005). Milan will be in attendance to serve as a Juror for our Best Narrative Feature Category.
Melora Walters
Known for Magnolia (1999), Boogie Nights (1997), Dead Poets Society (1989), The Butterfly Effect (2004). Melora will be in attendance to support her new film Robert The Bruce.
Eddie Spears
Eddie’s most recent credits include Paramount’s series Yellowstone role Marcus Bodaway, Z Nation, And The Abyss Gazes Back, Hell On Wheels, and Yellow Rock.
Eddie will be in attendance to serve as a Juror for our Indigenous Voices Short Film Category, will serve on our Indigenous Film Panel.
Allison Whitmer
Allison got her start in filmmaking as a Production Assistant on The Horse Whisperer, and has since served as Production Coordinator, Set Dresser, Unit Production Manager, and Line Producer on films such as The Ballad of Lefty Brown, Walking Out, Certain Women, Northfork, and more!
Allison is the Montana Film Commissioner and she will be moderating both the Women in Film Panel and the Indigenous Film Panel.