Mary Riitano
Mary Riitano is a film actress known for nuanced, emotionally grounded performances in character-driven drama and independent features. Her work often explores moral complexity and interior strength, where restraint and intelligence shape the frame as powerfully as dialogue.
Some of her screen credits include Wuthering Heights, Swing, We Burn Like This, and Useless. Her performances have screened at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, South Dakota Film Festival, and HollyShorts Film Festival among other national and international festivals as well. She received Best Supporting Actress for Wuthering Heights and Best Actress (Short Film) for Swing.
Riitano is drawn to stories centered on women who think deeply, act decisively, and move through the world with agency. Directors frequently note her preparation, steadiness on set, and collaborative ease. She approaches each role with disciplined empathy and a commitment to emotional truth, bringing both grounded authority and quiet intensity to her work.
In addition to her screen career, she is an active member of the Montana Media Coalition, advocating for the growth of sustainable film production in her home state. She also contributes time to community charities such as one that supports young mothers (Paint the town Pink) and food access in Montana (Empty Bowls of Helena --Food Share).
Outside of her work on screen, Riitano spends time in the mountains — hiking, snowboarding, and building trails — experiences that inform the physical groundedness she brings to her craft. She values time with family and close friends as an essential balance to her artistic life.
Some of her screen credits include Wuthering Heights, Swing, We Burn Like This, and Useless. Her performances have screened at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, South Dakota Film Festival, and HollyShorts Film Festival among other national and international festivals as well. She received Best Supporting Actress for Wuthering Heights and Best Actress (Short Film) for Swing.
Riitano is drawn to stories centered on women who think deeply, act decisively, and move through the world with agency. Directors frequently note her preparation, steadiness on set, and collaborative ease. She approaches each role with disciplined empathy and a commitment to emotional truth, bringing both grounded authority and quiet intensity to her work.
In addition to her screen career, she is an active member of the Montana Media Coalition, advocating for the growth of sustainable film production in her home state. She also contributes time to community charities such as one that supports young mothers (Paint the town Pink) and food access in Montana (Empty Bowls of Helena --Food Share).
Outside of her work on screen, Riitano spends time in the mountains — hiking, snowboarding, and building trails — experiences that inform the physical groundedness she brings to her craft. She values time with family and close friends as an essential balance to her artistic life.
Montana Media Coalition
The "Big Sky on the Big Screen Act," which provided film tax incentives in Montana, sunset on December 31, 2014.
Following the expiration of that act, there was concerted effort to reenact the film tax credit. In 2017, I added my voice to a small group of filmmakers who came together to testify at the legislature in support of film growth and preservation in Montana. In 2019, this group collected again, along with a greater number of in-state and out-of-state film supporters, to pass the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Act (MEDIA Act) in 2019 providing new income tax incentives for film, television, and other media productions.
That Media Act was a key piece needed to make Montana viable and start building infrastructure. Including Yellowstone, 1923, The Madison, and numerous independent films such as The Unholy Trinity, Somewhere in Montana, Broke, along with documentaries, short form narratives, and commercials--about 160 productions have shot in Montana.
Due to the success of The Media Act; several Montana groups joined forces collecting film industry voices to form the Montana Media Coalition (MMC) in 2024 to further advance the state’s film industry.
Fundraising, educating senators and representatives about the great number of Montanans creating film --the MMC and film industry supporters with bipartisan support passed SB 326 (introduced and carried by Sen. Greg Hertz). It was signed by the governor in May 2025 extending the tax credit program through 2045. MMC continues to meet and are gearing up for the 2027 Montana legislature to continue supporting film growth in Montana.
Following the expiration of that act, there was concerted effort to reenact the film tax credit. In 2017, I added my voice to a small group of filmmakers who came together to testify at the legislature in support of film growth and preservation in Montana. In 2019, this group collected again, along with a greater number of in-state and out-of-state film supporters, to pass the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Act (MEDIA Act) in 2019 providing new income tax incentives for film, television, and other media productions.
That Media Act was a key piece needed to make Montana viable and start building infrastructure. Including Yellowstone, 1923, The Madison, and numerous independent films such as The Unholy Trinity, Somewhere in Montana, Broke, along with documentaries, short form narratives, and commercials--about 160 productions have shot in Montana.
Due to the success of The Media Act; several Montana groups joined forces collecting film industry voices to form the Montana Media Coalition (MMC) in 2024 to further advance the state’s film industry.
Fundraising, educating senators and representatives about the great number of Montanans creating film --the MMC and film industry supporters with bipartisan support passed SB 326 (introduced and carried by Sen. Greg Hertz). It was signed by the governor in May 2025 extending the tax credit program through 2045. MMC continues to meet and are gearing up for the 2027 Montana legislature to continue supporting film growth in Montana.
Tina Buckingham, Casting Director
Mary Riitano, Dawn Long, and guest Yellowstone Film Ranch | Fundraising: MT Media Coalition |
Montana Media Coalition Members
Legislative Action Day | SB 326 | Revisions to MT MEDIA Act |
PRESS: click/tap below links to read articles
[Montana Call to Action: Support SB 326 - SAG AFTRA]
[Explore Big Sky: Montana Media Act signed by Governor, supports Montana filmmakers]
[Montana Call to Action: Support SB 326 - SAG AFTRA]
[Explore Big Sky: Montana Media Act signed by Governor, supports Montana filmmakers]
Podcasts/Conversations
Below are interviews (podcast, live, and fireside chat) conversing about my acting experiences, what keeps me inspired, and current projects.
Left to Right:
Sarah Elkins: author, workplace communication trainer, Gallup Certified Strengths Finder and podcaster on Sarah Elkins Consulting
Joe Borden: former writer and producer at Tosh.O and current film producer in Montana with podcasts, Outlaw Beat and Explore Big Sky
Eric Vornoff: actor, filmmaker, film enthusiast, and podcaster of Sit Down by the Fire
Left to Right:
Sarah Elkins: author, workplace communication trainer, Gallup Certified Strengths Finder and podcaster on Sarah Elkins Consulting
Joe Borden: former writer and producer at Tosh.O and current film producer in Montana with podcasts, Outlaw Beat and Explore Big Sky
Eric Vornoff: actor, filmmaker, film enthusiast, and podcaster of Sit Down by the Fire
Click/tap photo icons below to go to individual podcasts
