NM Film Festival boasts UNM-Valencia programs
The film industry can be found in many nooks around New Mexico. While Albuquerque and Santa Fe see more production and film festivals, University of New Mexico’s Valencia campus is once again hosting the New Mexico Film Festival.
Bill Nevins, curator and organizer of the festival, says it will focus on New Mexico films and the state’s filmmakers.
The two-day festival will screen films on the University of New Mexico’s Valencia’s new art projection and sound system and is free to attend.
“A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to see what we offer with our programs,” he says. “This festival gives them an opportunity see what the students are working with.”
In addition to screening more than a dozen films and shorts, Nevins has put together panels where filmmakers will discuss the industry.
The first panel is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, and will include Española-based filmmaker Mateo Frasier; Ann Lerner of the Albuquerque Film Office; Dirk Norris of the New Mexico Film Foundation; UNM Valencia film program professor Justin R. Romine; Jason Sedillo, CEO/ president of Dream To Achieve Entertainment, Albuquerque; UNM main campus professor and experimental filmmaker Bryan Konefsky; and best-selling Albuquerque author, Alisa Valdes.
“We wanted to get a group of people who have different points of views and areas when it comes to the film industry,” Nevins says. “It’s important to keep this
as informative as we can.”
He says the previous film festivals have been well attended and last year’s screening of the documentary “Tapia” drew the most people.
“We’re hoping to have a great turn out again,” he says. “This is an opportunity for people to see what types of films and projects are being made in New Mexico.”
Planning for the festival takes Nevins nearly a year. He says once this year’s festival is over, he will begin to plan for next year.
“I have a small committee that helps me get all the logistics together,” he says. “The crunch time usually comes in November because we have to get the schedule confirmed.”
Nevins says this year’s lineup consists of some films that are strong in adult themes and language, though the audience will be notified before those are screened.
“We were able to secure some wonderful films this year,” he says. “We wanted to be as diverse as we could.”
Nevins also will host an audience feedback and discussion session at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, on campus.
The program will run as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 4 10:15 a.m. — “Good Luck Mr. Gorski”
10:30 a.m. — “Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic of Words”
11 a.m. — “Drunktown’s Finest”
12:30 p.m. — Q&A with Mateo Frazier, “Drunktown’s Finest” filmmaker
12:45 p.m. — “Moses on the Mesa”
1 p.m. — Author Alisa Valdes talks on her book “Dirty Girls Social Club”
1:05 p.m. — Panel discussion with filmmakers 2 p.m. — “A Place to Stand” 3:30 p.m. — “Void” 4 p.m. — “Behind the Blue Veil” Thursday, Feb. 5 10:05 a.m. — “No Star for Romaine” 10:20 a.m. — “Mikailwitl” 10:35 a.m. — “On the Land with the Earth” 12:30 p.m. — “Taco Valley” 1 p.m. — Experimental Film Discussion
1:15 p.m. — “The Soul of Things”
1:30 p.m. — Experimental film block
2 p.m. — “Afraid of Sunrise” 3:15 p.m. — “Bad Posture” 4:45 p.m. — “Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic of Words”
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.