NM filmmakers will kick off South Broadway series
New Mexico filmmakers blaze new paths in their respected industry. That is part of the reason filmmakers were chosen to begin the South Broadway Cultural Center’s new monthly series, “Conversations in Creativity.”
The idea is a way for Alisa Valdes, the cultural center’s manager, to bring in more people to the center.
Valdes says the series will feature a person or panel on stage who will be interviewed in the style of “Inside the Actor’s Studio.”
She says the interview will focus on the creative process as it pertains to the panelists’ field, the importance of creativity to the city’s communities and economy.
“There’s a lot of creativity around town,” she says. “I want to expand out to science and technology. It’s about getting down to the creative process. We all have a way of being creative.”
The first of the series will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway SW. It will feature filmmakers Ron Weisberg, Matt Page, Kara Sachs as well as Albuquerque Film and Music Experience co-founder Ivan Weiner and Albuquerque film liaison Ann Lerner.
Valdes says she wanted to begin with filmmakers because the industry is continuing to grow.
“There’s a creative process that is working,” she says. “I want to chat with them and have them inform an audience about what they are doing right.”
Valdes, who also is a best-selling writer, has been manager of the center for nearly three months. One of the first things she identified after starting the job was that the center needed more programming.
“The center was without a manager for nearly two years,” she says. “I want to build the center back up as a hub for these conversations. Creativity is needed in every field.”
Valdes also chose filmmakers as the first conversation because Lerner has been bringing a lot of film events to the center.
“It was something I could pull together quite well,” she says. “I’ve met so many talented people. I’ll admit it was hard to pick just a handful of filmmakers.”
Valdes says having the series at the center will give New Mexicans a chance to see the 309-seat theater that has undergone some improvements.
“We have the same capacity that the KiMo
(Theatre) has,” she says. “We have a new silver screen and surround sound. I’m looking forward to start getting people coming back to the center.”
For more information on the series visit cabq.gov.
INAUGURAL FILM FEST: There’s still time to visit the Pueblo Film Festival hosted by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today. The event, which also is a celebration of Native American Heritage Month, includes screenings of feature films, shorts and documentaries, plus workshops and lectures.
Pueblo filmmakers Jonathan Sims of Acoma Pueblo, Arthur Cruz of Ohkay Owingeh and Michael Bird of Kewa Pueblo will all screen films at the festival.
“She Sings to the Stars” stars Jemez Pueblo elder Fannie Loretto, will be at the panel set for today.
CELEBRATE UNM@125: New Mexico PBS will air the documentary “UNM@125” at 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 on channel 5.1. Producer and director Arcie Chapa has created a compelling film tribute to UNM’s history and future.
SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.