Greta Falls native Stu Brumbaugh spoke to the Great Falls Rotary Club on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The CMR graduate is a writer/ director and producer and CEO of Ladder 5 Films.
Brumbaugh says he always had an interest in the arts and became infatuated with films when Leonard Nimoy filmed "Holy Matrimony" in Great Falls.
His passion for the film industry led him to Los Angeles where among his credits are working on projects such as "Deadliest Catch" and the first "John Wick" film. He became friends with Keanu Reeves and even had the chance to race Reeves’ motorcycle through the streets of L.A.
Brumbaugh is also involved in production work at Las Vegas’ newest entertainment attraction, “The Sphere."
Now living in Kalispell, Brumbaugh’s latest project tells the story of “Running Eagle”, a legendary woman warrior whose inspirational story has been passed down through generations of the Blackfeet Native American Tribe.
Brumbaugh is hoping to establish a homegrown film industry in Great Falls. He says North Central Montana has as much or more to offer as other film locations in Montana and would like to see young people get excited and enter the film industry.
Pre-production on ‘Running Eagle’ is underway and Brumbaugh is hopeful to film in Great Falls and on the Blackfeet Reservation sometime in 2027.
