Filmmaker Elizabeth Leiter’s captivating documentary 399: Queen of the Tetons will make its World Premiere as the Opening Night selection at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
For nearly two decades, Grizzly 399 has been a fixture in Grand Teton National Park. Known only by her research number, 399 has captivated photographers since 2007, becoming the world’s most famous — and photographed — grizzly in the world. The film follows 399 as she struggles to raise her cubs in the face of human encroachment, a rapidly changing climate, and threat of losing her protection under the Endangered Species Act.
The film explores 399’s life through those closest to her, including world-renowned nature photographer Thomas Mangelsen, activist Jane Goodall, grizzly biologists, NPS park rangers, cattle ranchers, and even the man who survived an attack by 399 and her cubs. 399: Queen of the Tetons examines an urgent and contentious debate over the future of an iconic American species through the life of one exceptional mama bear.
399’s breathtaking home in the Tetons comes to life through beautifully observed wildlife footage, Thomas Mangelsen’s 15 year archive of 399 photographs, viral videos, and original verite filming.
Elizabeth Leiter commented, “As a storyteller drawn to emotional and political subtleties, I am captivated by this grizzly bear because of the intense feelings she inspires in our species. In exploring 399’s life, I aim to foster a respect for her as a mother bear surviving in a rapidly changing and complex landscape. By engaging with 399’s resilience, we are invited to examine our own.”
The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival will present 38 films in competition at the 21st annual festival.
Best Feature Competition
Films over 40 minutes in length
ADMISSIONS GRANTED Miao Wang, Hao Wu
!AITSA Dane Dodds
ANAGAMA Guillermo Asensio
FINAL VOWS Victoria Westover
THE FISHERMAN AND THE BANKER Sheena Sumaria
PORCELAIN WAR Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev
SI PUDIERA QUEDARME (IF I COULD STAY) Florencia Krochik, Theo Rigby
TROLL STORM Eunice Lau
WITHOUT ARROWS Jonathan Olshefski, Elizabeth Day
THE WONDER AND THE WORRY David Baker
Big Sky Award Competition
Films that artistically honor the character, history, tradition and imagination of the American West
399: QUEEN OF THE TETONS Elizabeth Leiter
BRING THEM HOME / AISKÓTÁHKAPIYAAYA Ivan MacDonald, Ivy MacDonald, Daniel Glick
INISKIM-RETURN OF THE BUFFALO Leanne Allison, Pete Balkwill
MIRASOL, LOOKING AT THE SUN Ben Knight
SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO Tasha Hubbard
A SYMPHONY OF TINY LIGHTS Dominic Gill, Nadia Gill
WISE RIVER, MT Elijah Guess
Best Short Competition
Films under 40 minutes in length
AFTER LANDING Beibei Liu, Mayara Teixeira
HEIGHT OF THE KITE Mehraneh Salimian, Amin Pakparvar
HINDSIGHT Max Rykov
HOLD THE LINE Daniel Lombroso
I AM READY, WARDEN Smriti Mundhra
KOWLOON! Mona Xia, Erin Ramirez
MY QUEERCEÑERA Marcos Nieves
SPOT FIRE Lewis Bennett
THROUGH THE STORM Charles Frank, Fritz Bitsoie
UNTIL HE’S BACK Jacqueline Baylon
WILD HOGS AND SAFFRON Andy Sarjahani
Best Mini-Doc Competition
Films under 15 minutes in length
EXISTIMOS EN LA MEMORIA (We Exist in Memory) Darian Woehr
HEADSHOT Dominic Yarabe
MAGNIFICENT BEINGS Rob Tiffin
ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (MEET ME AT THE CREEK) Loren Waters
PIÑATAS OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS Tom Maroney
SCENES FROM SALÉ Imrane Rahani
SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR Kimberly Reed
SUBORBITAL TRIPTYCH Jared Jakins, J. Christian Jensen
TILTED ARC Baxter Stein
WINDING PATH Alexandra Lazarowich, Ross Kauffman