2026 Film Festival
Latest Information
The 17th annual Festival is October 2nd - October 4th.
The influential film festival in the Black Hills returns in October with new films, filmmaker insights, special guests, panels, networking, merchandise, and more. We are excited to promote the art of independent film throughout the Black Hills region.
The Festival begins October 2nd at 6:30 PM hosted exclusively by the Journey Museum with the screening of two great adventure films. See trailers below. Saturday Oct. 3, from 10AM to 12:00 PM are 2 FREE discussion panels moderated by KOTA News anchor Alicia Garcia. The Saturday and Sunday films begin at 1 PM.
Award sponsors have the opportunity to contribute to the awards for the winning films and present them to the filmmakers. Last year, we added film sponsorships to help support our filmmaker activities. We hope every film in the festival will have a sponsor. Features are $500 and shorts are $250. To help your decision, trailers for all the films will be available to below. This year we
added the REEL SD Film Award for the best film with scenes shot in South Dakota to encourage more filming in our state.
For more information, contact blackhillsfilmfest@gmail.com.
Films submitted from all over the world were judged for inclusion into the Festival including films from South Dakota, North Dakota, California, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, New York, Canada, Ireland, Romania, Spain, France and Germany. Filmmaker notification of acceptance date was June 30, 2026.
Festival awards include Best Feature Narrative, Best Short Narrative, Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Student Film, REEL SD Film Award and the crowd favorite, People's Choice.
VIP passes ($100) for all films and activities in the festival are on sale NOW in our shop at the BUY VIP PASSES NOW button below.
Individual Session Tickets ($20) are on sale now through the Journey Museum in person or on the website at the link in the button below.
Thank you for attending and supporting the 2026 Festival!
Opening Night Films (2026)
Opening Night Film Trailer "The Great Nomad Expedition"
Opening Night Film Trailer "Catching Pinecones"
2026 Official Selections
Drama. Documentary. Comedy. Animation.
The movies chosen by the panel of screeners and judges for the BHFF represent filmmakers ranging from students to seasoned professionals in the industry. These writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew worked hard to bring their vision and stories to the world. Join us to celebrate Independent cinema and be part of this incredible community by sponsoring a film screening.
Short Narrative
Director
Ibon Landa
Beñat, a harrijasotzaile (traditional Basque stone lifter) and ex-convict, is still reeling from the recent death of his wife while trying to raise his daughter Malen alone.
Things get complicated when Sara, the girl’s grandmother, files for full custody to protect her from a father she believes to be violent. Caught between grief, guilt, and a desperate need for redemption, Beñat faces a past full of secrets, half-truths, and hidden crimes. BASQUE LANGUAGE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Feature Documentary
Director
Chad Heddleston
Jan and Herb Conn were the original American dirtbag couple, pioneering rock climbers and cave explorers who rejected a conventional lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and fun. The Conns’ story reveals a legacy of renowned discoveries and their philosophies for a rewarding, well-lived life. FAMILY FRIENDLY
FILMMAKER ATTENDING
FILM SPONSOR-Bridget Machacek
Roam'n Around in Rapid City
Feature Documentary
Director
Justin Bergh
After training under two James Beard award-winning-chefs in some of the most acclaimed and important restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, Jordan Taylor, a Sioux Falls native, returned to his home state and opened a string of successful restaurants. His rise in the Sioux Falls culinary scene appears to be an unmitigated success. His story, however, is much more interesting than that.
FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Feature Documentary
Director
Jenna Naranjo Winters
As a young Vietnam War soldier, a grenade blast robbed Michael Naranjo of his eyesight. But he didn’t lose sight of his integrity and ambition. He fought past critics and social stereotypes to harness the life of his dreams. Dream Touch Believe is a timeless, award winning biographical documentary about a man who succeeded in doing what he was told he couldn’t do. Although Naranjo has no eyes and the use of just one hand, the Indigenous artist creates sculptures coveted by collectors worldwide. But it’s Naranjo’s life story that continues to spark hope within people of all walks of life. FAMILY FRIENDLY
Short Documentary
Director
Margaux Towne
"Healing Ribbons, One Stitch at a Time" is a rich and emotionally charged story, highlighting the strength, resilience and shared wisdom of urban inter-generational indigenous women by sharing their transformative journey by weaving between past traumas and present-day life in their communities.
FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Feature Documentary
Director
Stephen Howard Tucker
Hole-in-the-Wall country is a fifty-mile long red sandstone formation that defined the bounds of a utopic home base for cattle rustlers and popular outlaws in the late 1800's in Johnson County, Wyoming. Legends passed down by local families tell the rustic stories about famous characters like Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid, and the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. A hometown perspective on the Johnson County Cattle War is revealed, while ancient Native American presence and geological findings further demonstrate the enduring spirit of the American West in Johnson County. FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Short Narrative
Director
Celestine Twigg
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Poos is an animated adventure of Thumper the cat exploring her home and elements of Blackfoot culture. Directed by Blackfoot Language teacher Celestine Twigg, co-written by Celestine Twigg, Troy Emery Twig and Xstine Cook, with support from Harrison Red Crow and Adrian Stimson. Music by Lance Tailfeathers. Animated by Tank Standing Buffalo. BLACKFOOT LANGUAGE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Short Documentary
Director
Erin Page
Every fall, Custer State Park rumbles with the sound of nearly a thousand buffalo on the move. Rumble on the Plains follows the annual Custer State Park buffalo roundup through the eyes of the park staff, cowboys, and community members who make it happen year after year. The roundup is more than a spectacle, it is an act of stewardship and conservation. Through the experiences of the people who bring this event to life, the viewers get a chance to join the rumble and see something that feels out of time and echos of the wild west. FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Feature Documentary
Director
Kristin Gates
The Great Nomad Expedition is a celebration of Mongolia's nomadic culture. Traversing the country 1,200 kilometers from the rugged Gobi Desert to the soaring peaks of Khovsgul by camel, yak, horse, and reindeer, the expedition immerses viewers in ancient traditions, intimate human stories, and landscapes of staggering beauty. The Great Nomad Expedition is a cinematic adventure and a tribute to resilience, freedom, and the timeless wisdom of Mongolia's nomadic people. FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Student Film Tristan Kanjanapas
Director
Dr. Alongkot Chukeaw
A boy passionate about nature and birdwatching has been searching for the Nicobar pigeon in various locations across the islands of southern Thailand, but has struggled to find this species, which is increasingly rare. His journey leads him back to Koh Si, part of the Similan Islands, where he first encountered this bird years ago. During this visit, he not only succeeds in spotting the Nicobar pigeon but also reflects on the teachings of Buddhism regarding peaceful coexistence with all living beings. He realises that people should raise awareness about the significance of wildlife conservation, similar to how monks spread religious values. VIETNAMESE/ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Feature Documentary
Director
John Carlos Frey
Over the past fifty years, four federal dams impounding the Lower Snake River in Washington State have been identified as the root cause for the demise of all of Idaho’s anadromous fish. "The Snake and the Whale" reveals the corrupt deals behind the dams' construction and the subsequent campaigns to hide their role in this ongoing ecological disaster. Additionally, the dams have profoundly impacted a group of Killer Whales off the coast of Washington, known as the Southern Resident Orca, which rely on Snake River salmon as a primary food supply. These majestic creatures are now atop the Endangered Species list. FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Student Film
Director
Luke Forrester Holton
The 2011 discovery of a moss-covered dugout canoe, hundreds of feet up an Alaskan mountainside (miles from water), prompts a team of archeologists and culture bearers to reevaluate government management of Alaska's Tongass National Forest. While investigating the site, researchers unveil a deeper understanding of traditional Haida canoe construction methods, land loss, and the relationship between ecological health and human prosperity.
Short Documentary
Director
Scott H Thornburg
Welcome to the BHUC is a short science documentary about the search for dark matter at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, focusing on the contributions of researchers from Black Hills State University at the Black Hills Underground Campus.
FILMMAKER ATTENDING
Short Documentary
Director
Pep Stojanovic
Zastava Brothers is a documentary about the cars of former Yugoslavia and a group of immigrants now living in America who transcend their different backgrounds to form a bond over their love for those cars. As night falls on their first ever Sunday drive, they must spring to action when one of the cars begins to smoke. BOSNIAN/CROATIAN/MONTENEGRIN/SERBIAN LANGUAGES WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
FILMMAKER ATTENDING
The Journey Museum
Venue
Rapid City, SD
The wonderful Journey Museum will again be the host venue for the 2026 Black Hills Film Festival in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. The theater provides a comfortable space for viewing films and participating in the Q & A sessions. Two panels will also be held in the theater. It is centrally located with ample parking. You may explore the museum while at the festival. Join us at the festival this year to see incredible films from around the world and nearby in the Black Hills.
PAST FILM FESTIVALS
2025
The 16th Annual Black Hills Film Festival
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Oct. 3 - 5 Journey Museum in Rapid City
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Oct. 4 Free Panel Discussions 10 AM – 12 PM Journey Museum, Rapid City
2024
The 15th Annual Black Hills Film Festival
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Sept. 27 Journey Museum in Rapid City
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Sept. 28 – 29 Hill City High School Theatre, Hill City
2023
The 14th Annual Black Hills Film Festival
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Sept. 29 Hill City Center, Hill City
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Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 Hill City High School Theatre, Hill City
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Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 Historic Hot Springs Theatre, Hot Springs
Be a significant part of the Black Hills Film Festival. The Festival connects with and services our community, fostering a sense of understanding of one another through a shared experience. Your participation will help the Festival secure advertising, bring in industry leaders, create awards for filmmakers, support students and South Dakota filmmakers, rent facilities and technical equipment, host educational seminars, and so much more.
ADA
Individuals needing assistance, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), should contact the BHFF ADA Coordinator (605-574-9454) four business days prior to a meeting or event in order to ensure accommodations are available. For any in-person meeting and the annual Festival Event, notice is further given to individuals with disabilities that the meeting/event is being held in a physically accessible location.