Missoula to Celebrate 20 Years of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ with Cast

We all had that one kid in our neighborhood growing up. You know it is true because the first time you watched "Napolean Dynamite" you said "He reminds me of that one kid that grew up in our neighborhood." Sometimes I wonder if I was that kid. Maybe that is why that particular movie became such a cult classic. It was bizarre and silly, yet totally relatable.

The movie was filmed just south of us in Preston, Idaho. Which is geographically not much different than the communities we grew up in here in Montana. Complete with some of the same strange individuals.

The town of Preston, Idaho used to host a "Napolean Dynamite Festival" back when the movie first was released.

According to Wikipedia

Many of the featured festival themes are related to events occurring during the film. For example Tetherball Tournament, Tater Tot Eating Contest, Moon Boot Dance, Impersonation, Look-A-Like Contest, Football Throwing Contest and more. In 2005 an estimated 6,000 people attended the event, but that number dropped to an estimated 400 people in 2006.

Now, 20 years since the release of the cult classic, I guess you can say that we are getting our own version of a "Napolean Dynamite Festival" here in Missoula.

The University of Montana has been chosen as a location for the "Napolean Dynamite 20th Anniversary" celebration.

Friday, November 17th @ The Dennison Theater

UM will host a special screening of the hit movie. Followed by a LIVE Q&A session with the stars of the movie.

John Hader (Napolean)

Efren Ramierez (Pedro)

Jon Gries (Uncle Rico)