As an aspiring creative, Bridger Warner faced many obstacles in becoming a successful filmmaker. Although after years of hard work and networking, he’s earned a role in Montana’s community of filmmakers. Many aspiring creatives, however, don’t have the networking opportunities he was so fortunate to have. As a result, many struggle to find a way into the professional world.
Bridger created Pinky’s Film Festival to help them break into the scene. Film is one of the most influential media in the world for entertainment, sharing stories, and changing how we view our community and its role. That’s exactly why Pinky’s film festival has been founded to support student filmmakers and our entire Montana filmmaking community, helping share Montana-made narratives and cinematic art.
“My optimistic perspective is that it may take only one conversation, one friendship, or one example of the character you have that can set your career, your life, into motion. You need the chance to do it. Although these opportunities are all around us, I made Pinky’s Film Festival a place where opportunities are concentrated.” – Bridger Warner
At first, outreach was the festival’s most significant thing at hand. Bridger Warner and a few well-connected partners, including other student filmmakers with GHS’s Media Maverick club and his father, a production partner of his for Plazby Solutions, set about communicating the project’s concept to Professional filmmakers out of LA and Bozeman, such as Matt Wheat and Jack Price. Both of whom are Montana-raised filmmakers who studied at MSU and have made exceptional films so far in their careers. Nevertheless, finding filmmakers willing to participate in Pinky’s Film Festival proved a challenge. As planned, though, the film festival was fully organized within weeks, with the Empire Twin venue confirmed and dozens of filmmakers pledging to participate.
“Almost every day in October, I had another dozen emails to write. It was tiring, but exciting when my goal switched from reaching out daily to replying.” – Bridger Warner
Immediately after the festival’s action team reached out, there were many excited responses. Students from Bozeman High School, Gallatin High School and even students and staff from Montana State University’s school of Film and Photography. As of December 2025, eight films have been submitted, and dozens of filmmakers have committed to participate in the film festival. Pinky’s Film is looking strong.
Pinky’s Film Festival continues in its pre-production phase through December 2025. The Festival was planned almost a year after it was conceptualized, and the Film Festival team isn’t rushing this project in a month; instead, they’re making more ground over more time. The Festival’s advertising and promotion will begin in January 2026, and tickets will be for sale in March. By April 12th, 2026, film submissions will close and all the hard work of the individuals and groups who have been collaborating to make this Festival a success will come to fruition on May 6th at the historic Empire Twin Theater in Livingston, Montana. Hopefully it will become an annual event for Montana filmmakers and their audiences.
“The festival’s ongoing success—and that of my original goal—will be measured by how many people are energized to participate, make more films, and tell more Montana stories in the future.” – Bridger Warner