Cat Dale

Cat Dale is a Professor at Montana State University where she works with students in film production. She is an accomplished writer and filmmaker whose narrative projects focus on institutional trauma and gender perceptions. Her career combines academic teaching with active creative production.

Her research and creative interests span:

• Historical storytelling with emphasis on women's experiences
• Narrative exploration of institutional trauma
• Gender perceptions throughout American history
• Western genre storytelling with feminist perspectives
• Adaptation of historical figures and events into compelling narratives

Dale's creative output shows a consistent trend toward historically grounded narratives that examine power structures and marginalized voices. Her work often features strong female protagonists navigating restrictive social systems, blending meticulous historical research with contemporary relevance. She demonstrates particular expertise in transforming under-explored historical moments into compelling cinematic narratives that resonate with modern audiences.

Her notable achievements include:

• Winner of ScreenCraft Pilot Launch for MOUNT PLEASANT
• Multiple award-winning short films (WILDCAT, RUBBER & GLUE, TOUCH)
• Participation in The Black List & Studio Canal CANNESFILM UNLIMITED residency
• Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist recognition
• Montana Big Sky Film Grant recipient

As an educator, Dale brings her active professional experience into the classroom, mentoring the next generation of filmmakers while continuing her own creative development. She serves as a script reader for major festivals including Austin Film Festival, providing students with insights into professional screenplay evaluation standards. Her current development slate includes feature projects WILDCAT, OBSCURE, PLAIN, & LITTLE, and CLARA BOONE, demonstrating her ongoing creative productivity alongside her academic responsibilities.