Growing up
Las Cruces fest plans bigger films, more panels for event’s second year
Organizers have seen a boost in advance ticket sales for the second annual Las Cruces International Film Festival.
It’s because bigger films and more panels are planned for the five-day festival, which starts Wednesday, March 8, says Ross Marks, executive director of the festival.
“It’s really getting crazy,” he says. “It exploded on us faster than we expected. We’re happy to see the interest grow.”
After the success of last year’s inaugural event, the festival will screen dozens of films, as well as offer workshops on screenwriting, game development, film, getting started in show business, makeup and special effects, color correction and postproduction and comedy.
The comedy panel will be given by “The Big Bang Theory” actor Johnny Galecki, who will receive the award for outstanding achievement in comedy.
The festival is also honoring actor Brendan Fraser with its award for outstanding achievement in entertainment.
Fraser’s career blossomed with such films as “Encino Man,” “School Ties,” “Blast From the Past” and the first “Mummy” series of films.
The prestigious honor will be presented in a private reception at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9.
The festival’s opening night film is “The Tiger Hunter,” which stars Jon Heder.
“We have six people (from the film) coming in for the opening,” he says. “Each one of these actors brings in a different fan base. The comedy award to Johnny Galecki has helped raise the profile of the festival.”
Marks, who is also a professor at the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University, says he will continue to make the festival an international event.
And he’s showcasing some of the best of New Mexico and El Paso filmmakers.
“It’s a balance,” he says. “I think there’s room for it all. We not only want to celebrate the best of independent film, but the best of New Mexico.”
Marks, who says it took a year to plan the festival, is looking forward to seeing how people respond to what is offered.
“We’re trying to have something for everyone,” he says. “If you love film or want to get involved in film, this is the place to learn about it. The industry continues to grow here in Las Cruces.”