Front Royal’s Matt Drago Returning for a Special Premiere of His Latest Project on December 13th

Front Royal native Matt Drago will return to his hometown this December for a special local premiere of Somewhere in Montana, his first feature film as a lead actor. The screening will be held at Front Royal Cinemas on  Saturday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., followed by an after-party at the Front Royal Karate Club.

The independent drama stars Drago alongside Outlander’s Graham McTavish and Star Trek: Picard’s Michelle Hurd. Shot entirely on location in Montana, the film explores the growing divide and unexpected connection between a gruff rancher facing economic hardship and a big-city film director shooting a movie on his land.

Matt Drago. Courtesy photo Mariposa Pictures

Drago plays Fabian Vergudo, a determined filmmaker whose creative ambitions clash with the slow pace of rural life. But what begins as friction between the two men unfolds into a deeper story about empathy, respect, and finding common ground across differences.

“Getting to be part of a film that tackles those themes in such a human way was a gift,” said Drago, who now lives in Los Angeles. “It’s about two people who don’t see eye-to-eye, but find a way to listen, and that feels really timely right now.”

Drago’s own story began in rural Virginia, where he spent much of his childhood acting out stories and performing in community theater. One early moment sealed his future: a Broadway performance of Cats at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York, a trip he took with his grandmother, Matilda.

“We had seats right on the stage. I remember pretending to be one of the cats and growling at the cast. One of them tied my shoelaces together during the show,” Drago recalled. “I was completely captivated. That experience made me fall in love with theatre.”

After high school, he moved to New York City to study acting at Marymount Manhattan College, later training with renowned acting coach Terry Schreiber. He landed early roles in dinner theater, TV commercials, and independent film. Eventually, a trip west for pilot season turned into a permanent move to California, where he began building a career in film and television.

While Drago has appeared in smaller roles for years, including projects with Ridley Scott and a lead in Disney’s “Counting Scars”, Somewhere in Montana is his most prominent role to date. The film was shot entirely in and around Polson, Montana, and was funded and staffed primarily by local Montanans.

“Being on set in Montana, surrounded by that incredible landscape and local talent, was something I’ll never forget,” Drago said. “It was also the kind of independent production where everyone wore multiple hats and poured their heart into it.”

The film, directed by Brandon Smith, is a quiet but emotional story with cinematic landscapes and intimate character work. It premiered earlier this year in Montana and received a limited theatrical run in October before going to video-on-demand.

Drago, who co-founded Dragon Hunter Productions with his wife, hopes to bring more filmmaking back to Virginia.

“We’re developing a few projects right now, and I’d love for one of our next films to be shot here in my home state,” he said. “There’s so much untapped talent and beauty in this part of the country, and I’d be proud to help spotlight that.”

Tickets to the Somewhere in Montana premiere are just $1 and available through Royal Cinemas at royal-cinemas.com. The film will be followed by a meet-and-greet and casual after-party hosted at the Front Royal Karate Club, located at 7 Kidd Lane.