Host Kirk Nordenstrom and co-producer Kris Flink sit down with filmmaker Dave Flores, winner of the inaugural Missoula 48 Hour Film Project (now Montana 48HFP). Dave shares his journey from working on B-movies in Europe to building a filmmaking career in Montana. The conversation dives into incentives, challenges of production in a non-turnkey state, how Montana can incubate local talent, and the emotional process of making his award-winning 48HFP drama. With plenty of laughs (and a few beers), this episode highlights why Montana is more than just a backdrop—it’s a growing hub for storytelling.
Welcome to Episode 10 of 48 Hour Heroes: Origin Stories.
Guests:
Dave Flores – Filmmaker, producer, and winner of the first Missoula/Montana 48HFP.
Kris Flink – Co-producer of the Seattle and Montana 48 Hour Film Projects.
Highlights from this episode:
Dave’s path from Los Angeles internships to low-budget creature features in Europe.
The launch of the Missoula 48HFP and its growth into the Montana 48HFP.
How Montana’s film incentive compares to Washington’s—and why crew infrastructure matters.
The challenges of assembling a team with limited resources, and why keeping it simple worked.
Using improvisation and smart directing tricks to get authentic performances (even from a two-year-old).
Stories of filming on Montana ranches without permits—and how it compares to shooting in LA or NYC.
The experience of taking his film to Filmapalooza in Rotterdam and discovering a global filmmaking family.
Why awards are nice, but audience connection and personal pride matter more.
Looking ahead to Montana screenings in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings—and what’s next for local film.