Help Us Build a Thriving Film Culture in the Sierra Nevada!

From Truckee to South Lake Tahoe, all four sides of the Lake, Incline Village, and throughout Placer and Nevada Counties—our mountain communities are bursting with creative energy and a hunger for connection through the arts. Park City has Sundance. Telluride has, well, Telluride, & Nevada City—just down the road—has already built an incredible film culture to tap into. Why not us?

That's the vision behind Bristlecone Film Collective—a film non-profit headquartered in Truckee and dedicated to making cinema an essential part of mountain culture throughout our entire region.

Here's What We're Building:

Year-round independent cinema programming. Tahoe Art Haus and Incline Village Cinema do vital work keeping cinema alive, but theatrical contracts often prevent them from screening acclaimed independent films. Despite multiple efforts, Truckee has no dedicated cinema venue. With South Lake Tahoe's theatre now closed, the gap is growing. We want to fill it with consistent, diverse independent film programming that goes beyond the one-off adventure film events we currently enjoy. We're immediately launching this initiative with our 2026 Spring Screening Series at Gravity Haus, where we will be screening 3 independent feature films. We'll be sharing more details at the launch party.

Support for regional film festivals. Our region already has incredible festivals: the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival (launched two years ago in South Lake), the Lake Tahoe Film Festival (every December in Incline), and Cordillera Film Festival (bringing world-class films to Reno annually). Yet even nearby communities don't know about them. We're here to cohere and amplify these festivals, connect audiences across the region, and provide organizational support to help them thrive.

A filmmaker database and network. We've already connected with 30+ film industry professionals in the Reno/Tahoe region—and we know there are many more. Too often, local film jobs go to outside contractors because people don't realize we have world-class talent right here. We're building a hub to connect, strengthen, and uplift these professionals.

Financial support for filmmakers. Eventually, we want to establish grants and funding to ensure film isn't just something we watch—it's something we make, support, and sustain as a mountain community.

If Park City, Telluride, and Nevada City can do it, so can we. We have the talent, the passion, and the community. Now we need your support to make it real.

Join us for our kickoff fundraiser and be part of building something extraordinary!

Can't make the event? Want to show extra support? Check out our Auction Tab above to browse items and experiences from our local friends in the Tahoe Region who have generously donated to our campaign.

Together, we can create a film culture that matches the vibrant, creative spirit of our mountain community. See you there!

Backcountry Photo Shoot (2 Hr Session)