John D. Nilles

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.

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.

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, 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.