SANTA FE--Executive Director of the New Mexico Film Foundation Dirk Norris has announced the screenings of the inaugural Student Filmmaker Showcase. Videos from students attending film programs at New Mexico Post-Secondary institutions will screen in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, in September, with plans to screen in other parts of New Mexico.
The New Mexico Film Foundation worked with faculty from San Juan College, Eastern New Mexico University, Santa Fe Community College and students from Santa Fe University of Art and Design to develop the program. Each New Mexico Post-Secondary school was asked to submit up to three student videos of no more than 15 minutes each, plus and optional special effects reel of up to 1 minute in length. Nine schools submitted a total of 27 videos.
"Films are meant to be seen and the student showcase gives the film students of New Mexico a chance to exhibit their work to the public and to let people see the great talents and opportunities we have in our state," said Jon Barr, Assistant Professor of Digital Filmmaking at Eastern New Mexico University. "The screening itself also gives our future filmmakers a chance to network and build connections with their peers who will likely be future collaborators and our hope is that this will have a lasting positive impact on homegrown filmmaking in New Mexico."
The videos will be judged by Professionals and Film Program Educators from outside New Mexico. "The idea of having outside judges provides New Mexico a great opportunity to showcase over 25 film and digital media programs that are currently active in the state." Luke Renner, Associate Professor of Digital Media Arts and Design at San Juan College said. "When people discuss film and media education, thoughts immediately go to programs in Los Angeles and New York; we are focused on having New Mexico Higher Education in the conversation. The strategy is to have professionals outside view our student work. The second part is that the films showcased are also viewable online unlike a typical film festival. This allows anyone outside our state to see the caliber and quality of the work created by New Mexico students."
Judges include Elizabeth Daley, Dean of the USC Film School, J Michael Moncrief, (Legend of Bagger Vance) USC graduate, Writer and Director, and Writer/Director/Producer Christopher Coppola (Deadfall, Dracula's Widow, Clockmaker)
"This is the first year for this program," said Norris. "Each film school usually has its own student film screenings, but this showcase will allow students to see work that other students are doing around the state. We invite the public to attend to see this great work and gain an understanding of the film programs in New Mexico."
There are 3 screenings of the "Best of" scheduled in Albuquerque and in Santa Fe, with possible other screenings around the state. Categories include Best Cinematography, Best Writing, Best Directing, Best Male Actor, Best Female Actor and Best Video. Regardless of awards, at least one film from each school will screen.
Screening Details:
Sept 22, 7 p.m. South Broadway Cultural Center- 1025 Broadway Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87102
Tickets $8, Students with valid ID free
Sept 24, 2 p.m. The Screen at Santa Fe University of Art and Design - 1600 St Michaels Dr Santa Fe, NM 87505
Tickets $10, Students with valid ID free
Sept 26, 5:30 p.m. Violet Crown Cinema, 1606 Alcaldesa St Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tickets $10, Students with valid ID free.
The participating Colleges and Universities are: Central New Mexico College (CNM), Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), San Juan College (SJC), Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD), University of New Mexico (UNM) Cinematic Arts and University of New Mexico Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media (UNM-IFDM) program.
Portions of the ticket sales will go towards the New Mexico Film Foundation Student Project Grant program.
Ticket information is available at the New Mexico Film Foundation website: http://www.nmfilmfoundation.org/calendar/
