About Cairns Film

Cairns Film is a video production, photography, and social media management studio based in Montrose, Colorado.

Whether we're helping an organization to powerfully capture and communicate their story, nurturing a vision from a concept to a strategy to a final deliverable, or shaping and guiding creative messaging- our clients seek us out to breathe visual life into complex concepts and ideas. As a trusted, local, full service video production company- we can't wait to partner with you on your next creative video project!

Our Team

  • Greg Cairns

    Owner, director - Greg is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and Idaho river guide. His clients include National Wildlife Federation, Democracy Now!, The BUILD Show, Patagonia, Montana State University, and the National Science Foundation. Adventure Journal has described his work as “subtle, delightful and sneakily powerful.”

  • Eric Ian

    Director - Eric is a Bozeman, Montana-based filmmaker that produces honest, heart-driven films with a grounded, down-to-earth approach.

    For almost 10 years he's partnered with non-profits, creative directors, businesses, artists, farmers and underdogs to tell stories that create genuine emotional connection (and look beautiful while doing it).

  • Alara Jones

    Editor - Alara grew up in Vancouver, WA but has lived in Bozeman since 2017 completing her BA in Film Production and minor in Psychology. With an appetite for creation, she has worked on several MSU faculty short films as a hair and make-up artist, produced a short dark comedy, and has written and directed her own short horror film, Do Not Develop. While she is happy to step into many creative roles on film projects, editing is her main passion and she hopes to move people with the stories she helps piece together.

  • Drew Madden

    Storyboard Artist - Growing up in a family of river guides, rafters, and kayakers – Drew was immersed in river activities from a young age. His 10 year career as a river guide has influenced his artwork and now he creates stickers and illustrations to remind people of their outdoor experiences. Drew’s art is light hearted, cheery, and uniquely his own. Each sticker is hand drawn and watercolored- distinguishing himself from other computer illustrated stickers.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Out There (2016) won Best Short Film- Durango Independent Film Festival.

  • Out There (2016) accepted at Action On Film, New Zealand Mountain Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, Kendal Mountain Festival, and Adventure Outdoor Festival, Covellite International Film Festival - Released via Backcountry.com

  • Last Thoughts on the Dirtbag (2017) accepted at Adventure Shorts Film Festival, Mountain Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, and Kendal Mountain Festival - United Kingdom. Released Via The Climbing Zine

  • Awake: A Dream From Standing Rock (2017) Premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. Contributing Cinematographer.

  • Live Round One (2018) accepted at Lanett City Film Festival

  • Just A Climber For Bears Ears (2019) accepted at 5Point Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, and Lookout Wild Film Festival. Released via The Climbing Zine

  • Dear Granny (2020) accepted at Durango Independent Film Festival, Main Outdoor Film Festival, Wild Rivers Film Tour. Released via Idaho River Adventures

  • Driving Sweep (2023) accepted at 18 film festivals including Banff Mountain Film Festival, 5Point Film Festival, Kendal Mountain Festival, and Boulder International Film Festival. Released via Idaho River Adventures

  • Ride to Slide (2024) accepted at Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Durango Independent Film Festival, Lookout Wild Film Festival

  • Driving Sweep (2024 TOUR) appeared on the Banff World Film Tour, Vancouver International Mountain Film Tour, Wild and Scenic Film Tour, and Paddling Film Festival World Tour.

  • Yellowstone Voices (2024) accepted at Fort Myers Film Festival, Environmental Film Festival at Yale

  • The Wild Bunch (2025) - accepted at Lookout Wild Film Festival, Maine Outdoor Film Festival - Released via Hyperlite Mountain Gear

  • Patso (2025) - accepted at Maine Outdoor Film Festival, Lookout Wild Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, TBD

  • Pronghorn Passage (2026) - TBD

  • Frequent Flyer (2026) - TBD

  • Trans Dinarica (2026) - TBD

More about Greg Cairns

Greg is a documentary filmmaker, commercial director, and photographer. He directs and edits everything from environmental advocacy shorts to technical product spots. He takes pride in his professionalism, efficiency, and creativity.
 
His clients include Patagonia, National Science Foundation, Montana State University, Northwest River Supply (NRS), The Build Show Network, Vanguard Inflatables, WiseTail, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Backcountry.com, Eddie Bauer, Idaho River Adventures, and Montana Office of Tourism.


Greg is a river guide, environmentalist, and space nerd. He lives in Montrose, Colorado.

Support Greg’s non-commercial work on Patreon.

“Cairns Film was so awesome to work with!! They completely got my vision from the beginning and were so easy to work with! They helped me troubleshoot all the technical issues I had with my project and really went above and beyond to make it successful!“ 

VANESSA SKELTON, THRIVE

Filming with @kenesperry above Big Sky.
Van living and surfing with @rivers.to.sea and family in CA and Santa Cruz. #rivertoseastickers #santacruz
Dont let Bean's pink house fool you, she is a Frijol Asesino.
I met this one guy in college who had endless Dominos coupons, hacked N64 onto his Xbox, and liked Premium Grain Belt beer. Turned out to be a pretty good guy. @blundquist23. Neither of us graduated from that college.
31. Would of been impossible to make it this far without my Wolfpack. Lots of love around.
I still get nervous/excited/scared before rapids. I think that's a good thing, so long as I can see clearly when I need to, so long as I don't french fry when I should pizza. I'm about to full pizza in this photo. Then french fry for 30 miles to the
Squeezing the last bit of light out on a middle fork deadhead. It's a beautiful scene but honestly a bit stressful. Camp isn't much further but it's close to impossible to navigate downriver in the dark. Can't afford to make mistakes and get stuck fo