Local Film = Unlimited Potential By Christa Valdez
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here’s no telling where a Texasborn, Mexico-raised, Canadatrained filmmaker may end up, but in this case the answer is New Mexico. For filmmaker Alejandro Montoya Marin, the options ranged from New York to Los Angeles, but after a successful run with the Albuquerquebased YouTube series Film Students in 2011, Marin turned his attention to growing partnerships with a talented local crew poised for a new level of exposure. In five short years, Marin tapped into the local
film market with an impressive team who has backed him in churning out multiple independent projects that are now grabbing global attention. In December 2015, Marin won best short film with Low/ Fi at the Original Santa Fe Film Festival. Additionally, he and his team landed the coveted Shoot Santa Fe Pilot Project prize, which will supply them with the resources to produce a series pilot based on their short film trailer, The Joneses. The first year winner of the same competition went on to be picked up for a studio-backed series
with a reported million dollar budget. Both projects stand to bolster the already booming talent pool and recognition of locally made productions. The lure of New Mexico’s film industry has spread to neighboring states and among many creatives nationwide who, like Marin, have moved here to pursue it. Those firmly rooted in the industry and within the community stand ready to continue that influx. Santa Fe’s own Mayor Javier Gonzales has begun the
necessary steps to form an independent Santa Fe film commission. “Santa Fe has what it takes to be the independent film capitol of the world,” predicts the mayor. A prime focus of the commission will be to research and work toward bringing more film and media productions to the state’s capital city and surrounding counties—a shared effort with the Shoot Santa Fe organization. Likewise, Nani Rivera, director of the Santa Fe Film Festival, works throughout the year to further awareness of film industry training, resources and employment opportunities statewide. For his part, Marin says, “New Mexico has the potential to be the best. I would love to see New Mexico be recognized not only for its impressive labor force but for its talent base as well. We have talent with the potential to become household names that reach the caliber of Breaking Bad.” There is indeed a wealth of talent in front of the camera and behind the scenes here in New Mexico. Where it all goes from here lies in no small part to how much support the industry receives. For those looking to get into, further investigate, or invest in it, the resource pool is just as abundant as the talent pool. Organizations throughout the state are consistently at work to ensure the industry continues to thrive. Fans have no shortage of homegrown entertainment set to roll in throughout 2016, like Marin’s The Joneses, which is set to shoot in Santa Fe this spring. Among the studio-backed productions for theaters, television and streaming, budding independent teams are tapping every opportunity to grow.
MAIN PICTURE: 4.5 Films and 82.92 Productions on set LEFT: Alejandro Montoya Marin TOP: Nani Rivera, director of Santa Fe Film Festival; photo by Daniel Quat Photography MIDDLE: Marin and cast of Low/Fi; photo by Mitchell Tillison BOTTOM: Cast and crew of Low/Fi; photo by Mitchell Tillison