Statewide Film Liaison Network
Throughout the State, the New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) works with many individuals with local knowledge and relationships who assist with a variety of industry activities. These activities may include searching for local filming locations (scouting), relaying location information, submitting location photographs, collecting statistics, securing permits and facilitating production and community relations. This network of relationships is vital in maintaining a united front to attract productions to New Mexico and to disseminate industry news and resources.
Many communities have designated one of these individuals as their film liaison. Often this individual will have relationships with the local fire and police departments, the chamber of commerce and municipal airport as well as businesses and property owners. The liaison becomes an industry point person who represents their city, county, pueblo or tribe. In several communities, this is a person already employed by the city or tribe, often in the chamber, visitor’s bureau, economic development division or other government office. In a few instances, the local film liaison is a volunteer who may be a former employee of a local government entity. New Mexico also has a few communities that have created a local film office that specifically employs an individual solely with this job responsibility.
The NMFO does not determine who will be the film liaison for a community, county, pueblo or tribe.
The NMFO does not determine the role of that local liaison; however, the NMFO does encourage this person become sanctioned as a State Film Liaison.
Process to Become a Sanctioned State Film Liaison:
1. Submit a letter of endorsement stating you are the State Film Liaison from a local government official, such as your Mayor, City Manager, County Commissioner or a Tribal Official to the NMFO; and
2. Contact the NMFO regarding the State Film Liaison Manual; and
3. Attend a NMFO Location Photos Workshop; and
4. Attend the NMFO Annual Liaisons Meeting; and
5. Sign the Film Liaison Guidelines Agreement; and
6. Fill out the Film Liaison Contact Sheet
In addition, sanctioned film liaisons are encouraged to:
7. Take the Film Fundamentals online course available through the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) website.
Communities may only have one designated State Film Liaison and some may choose to have one Assistant State Film Liaison. Either the endorsed State Film Liaison must email or write the NMFO to inform us of their designee or the assistant must have a letter of endorsement on letterhead submitted to the NMFO by a government official of the said city, community, county, tribe or pueblo.
For all community contacts, please visit our community profiles and tribal profiles.
To see a list of the current State Film Liaisons click here.
For more information, please email Rochelle Bussey, or call 505-476-5604.