Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the independent feature "Walk. Ride. Rodeo." produced by Netflix and Poke Prod, LLC will begin principal photography at the end of July through mid-August in Santa Fe, Espanola and Albuquerque. 
The production will employ approximately 60 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico actors and 350 New Mexico background talent.  
"We are proud to welcome another great independent feature to New Mexico," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "New Mexico's deep base of talent, infrastructure, and competitive incentives continue to help us attract independent films to New Mexico." 
Directed by Conor Allyn ("Java Heat," "Overexposed," "Zoe Gone") along with producers Elizabeth Cullen and Sean Dwyer ("Jean of the Jones," "Zoe Gone"). 
"We are incredibly blessed to have our story's inspiring real life heroine Amberley Snyder so intimately involved in both the development of the script and the physical production of our film. People are going to be impressed. It doesn't get more real than what they are going to see here," said director Conor Allyn. 
Starring Spencer Locke ("Insidious: The Last Key," "Resident Evil Films," "Cougar Town), Missi Pyle ("The Artist," "Captain Fantastic," "Galaxy Quest"), Alyvia Alyn Lind ("Overboard," "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors," "Blended") and Bailey Chase ("Longmire," "24: Legacy," "Saving Grace"), "Walk. Ride. Rodeo." is written by Sean Dwyer and Greg Cope White ("Life With Louie," "704 Hauser"). 
"Amberley Snyder's story is one of incredible courage and triumph. Amberley is possessed with the self-confidence and strength of a true athlete. As soon as Elizabeth and I met Amberley, we had a passion to make this film. This story needs to be told," said writer/producer Sean Dwyer.  
Whatever life hands you, you've got three choices. Give up. Give in. Or give it your all. At 18, Amberley Snyder was a nationally ranked barrel racer when a car accident paralyzed her. Doctors said she would never walk again. But Amberley had three goals as she recovered - "Walk. Ride. Rodeo". Within four months, she was back on her horse, Power. But everything was different. Amberley needed to reawaken the strength within herself to find a way. She secured herself on the horse using a seat belt and velcro. She re-trained Power to listen to voice commands and not her legs. And she fought back and made it to the national championships - RFD-TV's The American - where, as she entered the ring, 70,000 people gave her a standing ovation. Amberley's story is one of perseverance, drive and believing in yourself - despite the odds thrown at you.

SANTA FE —New Mexico Film Office director Nick Maniatis announced that the 2018 Emmy Award Nominations were announced and New Mexico shot productions “Godless” and “Waco” received a total of 15 nominations for a variety of awards. 

Godless received a total of 13 nominations including New Mexicans Jo Edna Bolden (Location Casting) and Geordie Sheffer, Megan Daum and Carmen Jones (Outstanding Hair Styling for a Limited Series).
 “These nominations continue to validate New Mexico as a world class production center,” said Director Nick Maniatis.  “They are a testimony to the professionalism of our crews, our talent and our efforts to build the industry here in New Mexico.”  
Click here for a full list of nominations:  https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/70th-nominations-list-v3.pdf?180712
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SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that Clint Eastwood’s upcoming feature “The Mule,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Imperative Pictures, will film later this month in Las Cruces.  

“We're thrilled to welcome another production to New Mexico,” said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. “We're proud to see the film industry continuing to grow in and around Las Cruces - and throughout southern New Mexico.”

The production will employ approximately 85 New Mexico crew members and approximately 200 New Mexico background talent.  

“Las Cruces is excited to welcome Clint Eastwood and his new movie, ‘The Mule,’ to our community,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.  “Our diverse architecture and unique filming locations, great year-round weather, and full service Film Office and film studio make Las Cruces an ideal filming location.”

The film is directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, along with producers Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera, Jessica Meier, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas. It is executive produced by Dave Bernad, Ruben Fleischer and Todd Hoffman, and co-produced by Jillian Apfelbaum.  

Starring Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburn, Michael Pena, Dianne Weist, Alison Eastwood, Taissa Farmiga and Igancio Serricchio, “The Mule” is the story of Earl Stone, a man in his 80’s who is broke, alone and facing foreclosure of his business.  He is offered a job that simply requires him to drive however, unbeknownst to Earl, he’s just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel.  

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced that "Chambers," produced by Netflix and Benefactor Productions, LLC will begin principal photography mid-June through early-November in Albuquerque. 

The production will employ approximately 180 New Mexico crew members, 75 New Mexico actors and approximately 400 New Mexico background talent. 

"New Mexico's dedication to creating a film friendly environment is paying off - we are proud to welcome a team with such a successful track record of past productions," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "Our infrastructure, robust workforce, and powerful incentives have catalyzed New Mexico's film industry growth and development." 

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon ("American Horror Story," "Me and Earl," "The Dying Girl") will be an executive producer, director at least two episodes along with creator and executive producer/showrunner Leah Rachel ("Curious Females," "Boys I Used to Babysit," "Audrey") and executive producers Stephen Gaghan via Super Emotional ("Syriana," "Traffic," "Gold"), Wolfgang Hammer & Winnie Kemp via SuperDeluxe ("This Close," "Magic Funhouse," "Disengaged") and line producer Karen Moore ("Blood & Oil," "Breaking Bad," "Plain Sight").

"Chambers" is the story of a young heart attack survivor who becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding the heart that saved her life. However, the closer she gets to uncovering the truth about her donor's sudden death, the more she starts taking on the characteristics of the deceased -- some of which are troublingly sinister.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com  

SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the television series "Midnight, Texas" produced by Universal Television and David Janollari Entertainment will be filming from mid-June through mid-September in Albuquerque. 

The production will employ approximately 400 New Mexico crew members, 40 New Mexico actors and approximately 1,600 New Mexico background talent.  

"We're very excited that New Mexico has been chosen as the site for the second season," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "With our talented workforce, depth of infrastructure, and an expanded incentive for TV productions, we are an ideal location for TV shows of all genres."  

Directed by Tim Andrew ("Teen Wolf"), Rob Greenlea ("Madam Secretary"), Stacey Black ("NCIS: New Orleans"), Marisol Adler ("The Brave"), Neema Barnette ("Luke Cage"), Barbara Brown ("American Horror Story") and Nick Gomez ("Daredevil"). Executive producers include David Janollari ("Six Feet Under"), Eric Charmelo ("Supernatural") and Nicole Snyder ("Supernatural").  

Starring Francois Arnaud ("The Borgias"), Dylan Bruce ("Orphan Black,"), Parisa Fitz-Henley ("Harry and Meghan: A Royal Romance"), Arielle Kebbel ("Vampire Diaries"), Jason Lewis ("Sex and the City") and Peter Mensah ("Spartacus"), "Midnight, Texas" is based on the best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris (author of the novels that inspired "True Blood").  

"Midnight, Texas" is a supernatural thriller that takes a journey into a remote Texas town where nothing is what it seems. In Midnight, Texas, being normal is strange and only outsiders fit in. It's a mysterious safe haven for those who are different - a perfect place for anyone looking to hide from the outside world.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the independent feature film "Corporate Animals" starring Demi Moore ("A Few Good Men," "Ghost," "Disclosure," "G.I. Jane"), Jessica Williams ("The Incredible Jessica James," "People Places Things"), and Ed Helms ("Vacation," "We're the Millers," "The Hangover") will begin filming mid-June through early July in Santa Fe and Abiquiu.  

"I'm proud to welcome another great independent feature to New Mexico," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "New Mexico's deep base of talent, infrastructure and our strong incentives continue to help us attract independent films to New Mexico."  

The production will employ approximately 100 New Mexico crew members, 2 New Mexico actors and approximately 60 New Mexico background talent. 

The comedy is directed by Patrick Brice ("Creep," "Creep 2," "The Overnight"), and produced by Keith Calder and Jessica Calder ("Blindspotting," "Anomalisa," "Blair Witch," "The Guest") for Snoot Entertainment, along with Mike Falbo and Ed Helms ("The Fake News with Ted Nelms," "The Clapper") for Pacific Electric. The screenplay is by Sam Bain ("Four Lions," "Peep Show"), one of the UK's premier comedy writers. 

"Corporate Animals" stars Demi Moore as Lucy, the egotistical CEO of Incredible Edible Cutlery, America's premier provider of edible cutlery. During a corporate team-building caving weekend in New Mexico, which she insists her staff attend, disaster suddenly strikes, trapping them all underground. This mis-matched and disgruntled group must pull together in order to survive, amidst sexual tension, startling business revelations, and casual cannibalism. Rounding out the cast are Karan Soni, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Calum Worthy, Dan Bakkedahl, Martha Kelly, Jennifer Kim, and Nasim Pedrad. 

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

motion picture “Dying for a Baby” will begin principal photography in mid-June through late-June. The film is being produced by VF2 Productions, LLC. and filming will take place in Albuquerque. 

“New projects like this are a testament to the growth of our film industry - 2018 continues to be a great year for film in New Mexico,” said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. “Our top-tier film infrastructure and workforce combine with our powerful incentives to make New Mexico a premiere location for film productions.” 

The production for this project will employ an estimated 30 New Mexico crew members, 24 New Mexico actors and approximately 85 New Mexicans as background talent. The picture is directed by Lauro Chartrand-DelValle (“Fatal Mistakes,” “The Blackburn Asylum,” “True Justice,” “Born to Raise Hell”) and produced by Gilles Laplante (“He Loves You Not,” “Psycho Wedding Crasher,” “Christmas Solo,” “A Gift to Remember,” “Cooking with Love,”).  

“It’s hard to believe that only a few weeks ago we wrapped our fifth New Mexico Production, “Deadly Desert Vacation” and now we are coming back with “Dying for a Baby” filming in June 2018, said film producer Gilles Laplante. The landscape of Albuquerque continues to inspire us to tell stories that are visually stunning. The past couple of years have been an adventurous ride working with very skilled local cast and crew and building strong relationships with businesses and vendors. The competitive tax credits support has allowed us to flourish in the state utilizing the excellent range of resources available to us. As our second show in 2018, “Dying for a Baby” will be another accomplishment our team will be proud of as we continue to reinforce our strong film ties with the state of New Mexico.”.

“Dying for a Baby” is the story of Amber and Kyle who are ready to move on after a car accident two years before the setting of the film. But their world turns upside down when Jessica, the other driver who lost her unborn baby, moves in next door and gets a job with Amber’s doctor -- all in a plan to seek a cold form of revenge! 

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For additional information visit the New Mexico Film Office online nmfilm.com 

Santa Fe, N.M. - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM) and Warner Bros. Pictures' "Creed II" will film scenes in Deming in early June. "Creed II," the continuation of the Rocky saga and sequel to the 2015 critically acclaimed and crowd-pleasing hit Creed, stars Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, reprising their roles of Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa, respectively. 

The production will employ 75 New Mexico crew members and approximately 46 New Mexico background talent.  

“The City of Deming is pleased to hear that once again we will play host to the film industry.  The City is grateful to have this opportunity, one that benefits our business community and the residents of Deming and Luna County by providing a welcome economic boost.  It also allows the community to showcase its great restaurants, award winning wines and the wonderful residents located in our beautiful Southwest New Mexico,” said Deming Mayor Benny Jasso.  

Steven Caple Jr. directs from an original screenplay written by Stallone based on characters from the Rocky franchise. The film is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Stallone. Ryan Coogler, Jordan and Guy Riedel will executive produce.  

Also reprising their roles from the first film are Tessa Thompson as Bianca, Phylicia Rashad as Mary Anne Creed, Wood Harris as Tony "Little Duke" Burton, and Andre Ward as Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler. The new cast is rounded out with Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu as Viktor Drago, Dolph Lundgren returning to the role of Ivan Drago, and Russell Hornsby as Buddy Marcelle.  

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family's past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what's worth fighting for, and discover that nothing's more important than family. 

"Creed II" is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can't escape your history. "Creed II" will be distributed theatrically in the U.S. by MGM on November 21, 2018, and Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film internationally. 

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com  

Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced that the television series produced by Netflix, "Messiah," will begin production in early-June through mid-August. Filming will take place in Albuquerque, Mountainair, Estancia, Belen, Santa Fe and Clines Corners. 
 
"We're proud to welcome another TV series to New Mexico," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "Once again, New Mexico will serve as a double for an overseas location and show the world that we're the leading location for TV productions." 
 
The production will employ approximately 500 New Mexico crew members, 40 New Mexico actors and approximately 1,800 New Mexico background talent. 
 
The series stars Michelle Monaghan and was created by writer and executive producer Michael Petroni ("The Book Thief," "Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader"). The show will be directed by James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta," "The Raven," "Sense8") who will also executive produce along with Mark Burnett ("The Bible," "Son of God," "Survivor"), Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel," "The Bible," "Ben-Hur") and Andrew Deane ("Masters of Horror," "The Double").
 
"Messiah" is a uniquely 21st Century political thriller that chronicles the world's reaction to a man who emerges from the Middle East creating a groundswell of followers who claim he is sent from God. Is he what they say he is or is he a dangerous fraud bent on dismantling the world's geopolitical order, causing civil havoc as he beguiles the world's media and its audience? The answer to that question unfolds across ten episodes told from multiple character viewpoints (including a US Intelligence agent, a Palestinian refugee, an Israeli Shin Bet officer, and a Latino preacher and his Daughter). At its core, Messiah is a series that challenges us to examine what we believe and who we are.  ### 
Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

SANTA FE—New Mexico State Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today the winners of the 2018 New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase which took place May 19th, 2018 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The following winners were announced in ten (10) categories.

Comedy Category: Dog Bachelor - Jamie Merideth, Santa Fe, NM

Documentary Category: The Mayors of Shiprock – Ramona Emerson, Albuquerque, NM and Parade of Dreams – Gabe Gillett, Santa Fe, NM (tie)

Drama Category: Pareidoila – Erick Castillo, Santa Fe, NM

Horror Category: The 7 Doors - Alex Gianopoulos, Albuquerque, NM

Music Video Category:  Ruse of Fools – Happy Song – Sherwin Lau, Las Cruses, NM

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Category: Shift – Jac Roberts, Albuquerque, NM and Saturn Return – Evan Curtis, La Mesa, NM (tie)

Student Category: Bruises – Kel Cruz and Lauren McFather, Albuquerque, NM

Wild Card Category: Chasing Dragons – Brian Cillessen, Albuquerque, NM

Audience Award: OM+ME – Cat Pilafas, Albuquerque, NM

Best in Show: Bruises, Kel Cruz and Lauren McFather, Albuquerque, NM

“We commend the local filmmakers who worked hard on these projects,” said Nick Maniatis, Director of the New Mexico State Film Office. “The fact that there were two categories that tied is a testament to the level exceptional level of filmmaking in New Mexico.” 

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com