Worldwide Premiere at 6:30 p.m. on January 27, 2026

DoubleTree Inn by Hilton in downtown Billings, Montana

More details to come 

The Film

Call of the West is an epic documentary chronicling the rise of the dude ranch—an enduring symbol of the American West. Against stunning landscapes, ranchers battle modernization, economic struggles, and generational shifts to keep their legacy alive. Through gripping stories of iconic families, this film reveals their fight to preserve a way of life that refuses to fade into history.

This documentary is a Wyoming PBS production directed by Mat Hames of Alpheus Media.

The Filmmaker

Mat Hames is an acclaimed filmmaker known for exploring history and memory, with his work featured on Independent Lens, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, HBO, SundanceTV, Netflix, and Kanopy. Knighted by King Albert II of Belgium for Last Best Hope, his WWII film on the Belgian Resistance, Hames has earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy nomination for Fossil Country and an IDA nomination for When I Rise, which premiered at SXSW. Other notable works include What Was Ours (Independent Lens), A State of Mind, The Art of Home, and Fighting Goliath. 

Snapshots from the Film

WY PBS is proud to share stories of adventure and discovery that bring our state's treasures to light. Through films like Call of the West, we connect viewers with the wild places and remarkable experiences that make Wyoming unique. To help us continue bringing these stories to your screen, please consider supporting WY PBS.