John D. Nilles
Director/Cinematographer/Producer
Filmmaker working in Montana & Beyond
I oscillate between directing personal projects and working as a freelance cinematographer, editor, & colorist. Occasionally, I produce other people’s movies. Check out my recent work below!
SAVING FOR THE DAY (director/writer/producer)
FREE PEOPLE x YELLOWSTONE (producer)
BLEACH BONE (director/writer/composer)
NATGEO - EXPLORERS (drone pilot)
TREZÜRESTÁT (director/writer/producer)
THE FORTUNE TELLER (cinematographer/producer)
REAL SPORTS (drone pilot)
WED THE DARK (cinematographer/producer)
WAYFAIR COMMERCIAL (warehouse & set carpenter)
DOUBLE NICKEL (cinematographer/producer)
THE ROOT (writer/director/producer)
KING + COUNTRY (technical director)
THE DRUMMER MONK (director/writer/producer)
About
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I love making movies, TV shows, videos, podcasts, or any other content dealing with story. I’m comfortable taking the lead on a project or collaborating to bring someone else’s vision to life. I’ve got over 20 years of industry experience and can confidently wear a variety of hats on a film set.
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Since I was a wee child I knew I wanted to dedicated myself to something unique. First, it was basketball. I practiced shooting 3-4 hours a day and became the 5’11” Larry Bird of Montana. Shortly after, I discovered filmmaking. It was a dog fight, but eventually filmmaking won out when I realized that my status as the 5’11” Larry Bird of Montana wouldn’t be enough to ascend to the professional level. Making a living as a basketball legend was out. I was 16. Like a freakishly thirsty sponge, I gobbled up as much filmmaking material as I could find. I was off. I found my life’s passion & purpose and have never looked back.
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John D. Nilles is an award-winning director/cinematographer/producer & film educator based in Montana. He has over 20 years of film industry experience working on a variety of projects for NBC, NatGeo, HBO, Paramount, FOX, VH1, & many others.
John’s great-great-great grandparents homesteaded in the Bitterroot Valley. His family has called Montana home ever since. Growing up, John was enthralled by stories passed down through the generations. John discovered his passion for filmmaking at an early age and cut his teeth on an ambitious Indiana Jones fan film in high school. He then had brief stints at Montana State University and in Los Angeles before returning home to Western Montana.
Since then, John has directed, shot, & produced countless films, several of which have played at dozens of film festivals around the world. John has written over 10 screenplays and has several others in various stages of development. He is particularly fond of Westerns and Science Fiction; especially where they intersect.
John currently resides in Missoula, MT where he owns Shoot Montana & Treasure State Studios. His latest feature, “Saving For The Day,” won best Montana Film at the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest and has secured a distribution deal for an international release in 2025.
Details
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2023: Saving For The Day – Writer/Director [Feature Adventure]
2025: Wed The Dark - Producer/Cinematographer - [Feature Horror]
2025: The Root – Writer/Director [Short Western]
2025: The Drummer Monk – Writer/Director [Short Rock Mockumentary]
2024: Bleach Bone – Director/Composer [Short Western]
2024: Blue Death: The 1918 Influenza in Montana – Producer/Cinematographer [Documentary]
2023: Double Nickel – Producer/Cinematographer [Short Pulp/Noir]
2015: Cry Little Sister – Writer/Director [Short Horror]
2008: Cowboy Reckoning – Writer/Director [Short Western]
2004: LITTLE – Writer/Director [Feature Western]
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2023: NBC Montana - “Montana filmmaker's 'Saving For The Day,' a love letter to Missoula”
2023: Independent Record - “Helena city commissioner stars in movie 14 years in the making”
2023: Zoo FM 96.9 - “Massive Multi-Genre Film Made in Montana to Debut at The Wilma”
2021: KPAX - “State-of-the-art film studio launches in Missoula”
2021: Missoulian - “Homegrown film production studio debuts in Missoula”
2006: Moviemaker Magazine – “Montana Rising”
2004: Missoula Independent – “The Littlest Picture Show (cover story)
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DIRECTING
“SAVING FOR THE DAY” had its world premiere in 2023 and will have an online release in 2025 The film is a love letter to Missoula and features the talent of over 400 Montanans. It’s a multi-genre feature in the form of a modern-day Indiana Jones adventure.
“BLEACH BONE,” has been accepted in about 40 festivals. I’ve got a couple other short films in post that have will be completed this year. Another contemporary Westerns called, “THE ROOT.” Plus a Rock Mockumentary titled, “THE DRUMMER MONK.”FREELANCE
I served as the local producer on a FREE PEOPLE x YELLOWSTONE fashion film & photo shoot. Much to my surprise, I was featured in front of the camera!
Recently, I served as Cinematographer & Producer on several projects including a documentary about the 1918 Flu Pandemic in Montana (“BLUE DEATH“), a horror feature set in a forest service lookout tower (“WED THE DARK“), and a short pulp/noir/horror (“DOUBLE NICKEL“).STUDIO
With a new business partner in tow, TREASURE STATE STUDIOS has grown considerably. We’re currently renovating one of our two locations in Missoula and hope to host multiple projects in 2025.PERSONAL
DadMode is in full effect. Our family is growing and we couldn’t be happier about it.Updated in March of 2025. This section is inspired by Derek Sivers and his Now Page Movement.
Connect
I’ve got an experienced & dedicated A-team, but I’m always looking for new collaborators. Let’s connect and talk shop.
John is the owner of Shoot Montana. Check it out here!
Copyright © 2026 John D. Nilles.