SANTA FE - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the DDP Productions feature "Hellbent" will begin principal photography mid-February and continue filming mid-March in Albuquerque, Moriarty and Santa Fe. 
 
"I am pleased to welcome the new movie, 'Hellbent', to Albuquerque," said Mayor Richard J. Berry. "Albuquerque is open for business and is excited to see the economic boost this production brings to the city."
 
"We are excited to have 'Hellbent' in our community to showcase our town and we welcome the production and crew", stated Moriarty Mayor Ted A. Hart.
 
"Santa Fe's partnership with Hollywood is paying dividends through high paying quality jobs for local people," said Santa Fe Mayor Javier M. Gonzales. "I'm thrilled with this latest announcement by the NM Film Office and we are ready to roll out the red carpet for the cast and crew of 'Hellbent.'"
 
The production will employ at least 90 New Mexico crew members, 12 New Mexico actors and approximately 60 local background talent.
 
Produced by Azim Bolkiah ("You're Not You," "Wild Oats"), Rhian Williams ("Dark Places," "You're Not You"), Jo Podmore ("Dark Places," "You're Not You"), Laura Davis ("A New York Heartbeat" and the BBC documentary "A Shot to Save the World") and Trish Hofmann ("Get On Up," "The New World").  Co-Produced by Kelly Todd and New Mexico local Brent Morris ("Frank," Monster") will line produce. 
 
Isabelle Fuhrman ("Orphan," "Hunger Games"), Martin Henderson ("Everest," "The Ring"),  Kimberly Elise ("John Q," "Dope"), Max Martini ("Fifty Shades of Grey," "Pacific Rim"), Johnathon Schaech ("Vice," "Texas Rising") and Shawn Pyfrom ("Desperate Housewives," "Pay It Forward"), have joined the cast of "Hellbent".  Based on a script by Tjardus Greidanus ("A Shot to Save the World"), who is also directing.
 
"Hellbent" is the story of a teenage runaway (Fuhrman) who enlists a fugitive drifter to take her on a cross-country journey to meet the father she's never known.
 
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SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that, the Happy Madison Production, The Ridiculous Six will begin principal photography in February in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas. 

“We are pleased to have the Happy Madison team back in New Mexico and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” stated Nick Maniatis.

The comedic, western ensemble starring Adam Sandler (Pixels, Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2), Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Expendables 3), Jorge Garcia (Hawaii Five-0, The Wedding Ringer), Taylor Lautner (Grown Ups 2, The Twilight Series), Rob Schneider (Real Rob, Grown Ups), Luke Wilson (The Skeleton Twins, Enlightened) and Nick Nolte (Parker, Warrior, Tropic Thunder) will shoot through May 1. The production will employ at least 200 New Mexico crew members and 250 New Mexico actors and local background talent.

“Santa Fe could not be be more excited about Adam's upcoming film project.  We are open for film business and with a skilled workforce we have what it takes to make this film a success,” stated Mayor Javier M. Gonzales.

The highly anticipated film is directed by Frank Coraci (The Wedding Singer) and was written by Tim Herlihy (Grown Ups 2) and Adam Sandler (Pixels, Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2). The Ridiculous Six is produced by Adam Sandler and Allen Covert, and executive produced by Barry Bernardi and Heather Parry. The film will debut exclusively on Netflix in all territories. 

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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 feature “Untitled Tina Fey - Margot Robbie - Martin Freeman Project,” produced by Paramount Pictures, is filming in Santa Fe and Albuquerque until the beginning of April.  

The production will employ approximately 212 crew members and over 3500 local background talent.

“We are thrilled that Paramount Pictures selected Albuquerque to be one of the principal shooting locations for their new production. It will employ hundreds of Albuquerque citizens and it will be great for local film-friendly businesses,” said Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry.  

“Santa Fe is open for film business and I welcome the cast and crew to our community,” said Santa Fe Mayor Javier M. Gonzales. 

“We've had nothing but great support here in New Mexico, from the state level, down to the average person on the street,” stated directors John Requa (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”) and Glenn Ficarra (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”), “The infrastructure for production is solid, there's great food, clean air and nice people, what more could you ask for?”

Produced by Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live,” “Three Amigos,” “Mean Girls”), Tina Fey (“This is Where I Leave You,” “30 Rock”) and Ian Bryce (“Transformers” franchise, “World War Z,” “Saving Private Ryan”) who states, “I've had the privilege of bringing several movies to New Mexico, and I've never been disappointed.  We are always welcomed with open arms by the local film community.  New Mexico has quality actors and crew, one-of-a-kind locations and beautiful vistas.  The local residents, business owners and civic authorities are always generous and accommodating, and it's our pleasure to bring another project and more business back to New Mexico.”

Starring Tina Fey, Margot Robbie (“Wolf of Wall Street,” “Focus,” “Suicide Squad”), Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit” franchise, “Sherlock”), Alfred Molina (“The Normal Heart,” “Law & Order: L.A.”), Nicholas Braun (“Get a Job,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”), Christopher Abbott (“A Most Violent Year,” “Girls”), Sheila 

Vand (“State of Affairs,” “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night,” “Argo”), Stephen Peacocke (“Hercules,” “Home and Away”), Evan Jonigkeit (“Bone Tomahawk,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”) Billy Bob Thornton (“The Judge,” “Fargo”) and Josh Charles (“Adult Beginners,” “The Good Wife”).

“Untitled Tina Fey - Margot Robbie - Martin Freeman Project” is based on the autobiography The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker, which the New York Times called “hilarious and harrowing, witty and illuminating, all at the same time.” 

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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 2015 New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase which took place January 24 – 25, 2015 at the Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe.  The following winners were announced in eight (8) categories: 
	
Best Animation Category: “Number Two” – dir. Michelle Catalanotto, Albuquerque, TRT 3 min.  Two solitary forest creatures prove how far they would go for friendship.

Best Comedy Category: “The Matter of Magic” – dir. Anna Darrah, Santa Fe, TRT 14 min. 47 sec. This short film stars Colin Cunningham (Falling Skies) as Sam, an ad man who hasn't slept in a week from the stress of an upcoming presentation.  His wife has had enough, his boss is putting on the pressure and Sam feels like he's losing his mind.  Especially because lately, when Sam reaches for something like a pen or his razor, they seem to fly into his hands on their own accord.

Best Documentary Category: “A Horseback Ride to the Soul” – dir. Aimee Barry Broustra, Santa Fe, TRT 28 min. For the rider and non-rider alike, “A Horseback Ride to the Soul" explores the ways in which humans and horses interact and how better understanding of this relationship leads to a deeper knowledge of ourselves and our relationship with the world.

Best Drama Category: “Ballad of the Boatman” – dir. Andy Kastelic, Albuquerque, TRT 23 min.  The boatman is growing weary of his post as the toll taker and ferryman into the afterlife. The faces he sees and the stories he hears are wearing down on him. When someone very dear to him shows up at his post he must decide whether it is in him to continue his current job and player in the system or to take up arms against a sea of troubles.

Best Experimental Category: “This is Me” – dir. Marcus Romero, Albuquerque, TRT 4 min.  The film illustrates the ideology behind the loss of childhood and the development of adulthood.

Best Horror Category: “The Carving” – dir. Benjamin Pierce, Portales, TRT 4 min.  Hal and his protégé undertake a grotesque experiment in the spirit of Halloween.

Best Other Category: S.H.I.L.O. "Good Times" – dir. Dusty Deen, Roswell, NM TRT 3 min. 20 sec. The music video for S.H.I.L.O's "Good Times" was created from 2,380 original artworks from over 500 artists, about half Junior High students.  The original video was shot and cut and then exported as individual images.  Each image was printed, in black and white, and artists used oil pastels, markers, and paint to color the image as they chose.  The images where then photographed and sequenced over the original frames creating a unique and surreal experience.

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Category: “Death in Time” – dir. John Broadhead, Albuquerque, TRT 45 min.  Time and Death, both personified, engage in an eternal argument over the meaning of death and the value of life.
 
“We commend the local filmmakers who worked hard on these projects and look forward to traveling the winning films across the state,” said Nick Maniatis, Director of the New Mexico State Film Office. “This is one way we can do our part to bring local, independent films to a wider audience. We encourage everyone to attend.”

The winning films will travel New Mexico throughout the year in collaboration with local film festivals and theaters.  Below are the participating film festivals:

Belen Flight & Film Festival: belen-nm.gov
March 14 - 16, 2015

Taos Shortz: taosshortz.com
March 19 – 22, 2015

Experiments in Cinema: experimentsincinema.com
April 15 – 19, 2015

Albuquerque Film and Media Experience: abqfilmexperience.com            
June 1 – 8, 2015

Roswell Sci-Fi Film Fest: filmroswell.com
July 2 – 4, 2015

Filmstock New Mexico: filmstockfilmfestival.com
September 5-6, 2015

The Dark Frame Film Festival: darkmattersfilmfest.com
October 23 – 25, 2015

Santa Fe Film Festival: santafefilmfestival.com
December 2 – 6, 2015

The total running time for the winning films is 132 minutes.  For more information visit www.nmfilm.com or call 505-476-5600.

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SANTA FE— The New Mexico Film Office announced the schedule for the 2015 NM Filmmakers Showcase featuring 43 independently produced statewide works including Albuquerque, Sandia Park, Santa Fe, Portales, Farmington, Capitan, Clovis, Las Cruces and Roswell. The Showcase will take place at The Jean Cocteau Cinema (418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM  87501) and is free and open to the public to attend. For a complete schedule visit www.nmfilm.com.

Saturday, January 24, 2015
4:00 pm: 	Welcome and Announcement of Winners
Best of Category screening (TRT 132 min.)
6:30 pm:	Networking event hosted by the Jean Cocteau Cinema

Sunday, January 25, 2015
10:00 am	Block A: Animation Category (TRT 15 min.)
10:15 am	Block B: Comedy Category (TRT 62 min.)
11:20 am	Block C: Documentary Category (TRT 98 min.)
12:50 pm	Block D: Drama Category (TRT 91 min.)
2:20 pm	Block E: Experimental Category (TRT 98 min.)
3:30 pm	Block F: Horror, Other and Sci-Fi Categories (TRT 68 min.)

Following the showcase, winning films will travel New Mexico throughout the year in collaboration with local film festivals and theaters.  For more information contact the New Mexico Film Office at 505-476-5604 or rochelle@nmfilm.com.

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today a portion of the Knight Takes King Productions, LLC / Media Rights Capital Studios “House of Cards” season three was filmed in New Mexico.  Production took place in Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Espanola.  

The production employed 85 New Mexico crew members, 2 New Mexico actors and approximately 90 local background talent.  

“House of Cards” is directed by James Foley (“House of Cards” Seasons 1 & 2, “Glengarry Glen Ross”, “At Close Range”), executive produced by Beau Willimon, David Fincher, Joshua Donen, Eric Roth, Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti, produced by Karen Moore (“Breaking Bad”), Jay Carson and co-produced by Boris Malden.

 “House of Cards” returns for a third season on February 27, 2015.

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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 Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the title roles and directed by Zack Snyder, successfully completed production in New Mexico.  
 
The production estimates that they spent more than $13 million in the New Mexico economy, on everything from local construction hires to lumber and catering supplies.  The film completed its principal photography in New Mexico, after shooting in Michigan and Illinois.  The production company estimates that it hired approximately 200 New Mexico crew members during the course of the production.  
 
“We are thrilled that the towns of Playas and Taos, New Mexico could play host to such a large-scale production.  In fact, they built one of the largest set pieces in New Mexico film history,” said Maniatis.  “We are pleased with the number of New Mexican residents and suppliers that the show was able to utilize during their stay.”
 
The film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his “Man of Steel” role as Clark Kent/Superman, and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.  The film also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from “Man of Steel,” Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Holly Hunter in a role created for the film.
 
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer.  Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
 
The film will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures on March 25, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment. http://batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com 

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the NBC television series “The Night Shift,” produced by Sony Pictures Television, will begin principal photography on its second season in New Mexico. Production will take place in Albuquerque mid-November through May 2015.  

The production will employ at least 120 New Mexico crew members, 250 New Mexico actors and local background talent. 

“We welcome back ‘The Night Shift’ for its second successful season filming in our city.  One of the reasons Albuquerque is so popular for filming is because we can double for many different location looks. For this television show, Albuquerque is doubling for San Antonio, Texas.  We appreciate that the series utilizes our versatile city as their backdrop and that they employ Albuquerquians on their crew,” said Mayor Richard J. Berry.  

“The Night Shift” is created and executive produced by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Freaks and Geeks”) and co-executive produced by Stewart A. Lyons (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”).  

“The Night Shift” returns for a second season, bringing viewers back into the fast-paced world of the overnight shift at San Antonio Memorial Hospital, where the toughest and craziest cases always seem to come through the door. The series stars Eoin Macken ( “Merlin”), Jill Flint (“The Good Wife”), Ken Leung (“Lost”), Brendan Fehr (“Roswell”), Robert Bailey Jr. (“Coraline”), Jeananne Goossen (“The Vow”), JR Lemon (“Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas”) and Freddy Rodriguez (“Six Feet Under”).

Airing after “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday nights this past summer, “The Night Shift” culled consistent ratings for NBC, becoming the #1new scripted series on network and cable this summer in ages 18-49. It also marked the most-watched summer drama for NBC in total viewers in 14 years, averaging 6.9 million viewing per episode.

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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 Condemned 2,” produced by WWE Studios, Inc., and Lions Gate Films, Inc., will begin principal photography in New Mexico. Production will take place in and around Albuquerque and Zia Pueblo from mid-November through mid-December.

The production will employ at least 80 New Mexico crew members, 22 New Mexico actors, 10 local stunt players and approximately 200 local background talent.

“The Condemned 2” is directed by Roel Reine (“12 Rounds 2: Reloaded,” “Death Race 2”) and produced by Michael J. Luisi (“See No Evil 2,” “Leprechaun: Origins”).

Starring Randy Orton (“12 Rounds 2: Reloaded”), “The Condemned 2,” follows a former bounty hunter (Orton) who soon finds himself on the run as part of a newly revamped, high-stakes and deadly Condemned tournament.

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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 Scorch Trials,” produced by The Gotham Group and Temple Hill Entertainment for 20th Century Fox, will begin principal photography in New Mexico. Production on “The Scorch Trials,” which is the sequel to “The Maze Runner,” will take place in and around Albuquerque from late October 2014 through late January 2015.

The production will employ at least 250 New Mexico crew members, 18 New Mexico actors, and approximately 1,800 local background talent.

“We are excited to have ‘The Scorch Trials’ film in our city,” said Mayor Richard J. Berry.  “This sequel to the very popular ‘The Maze Runner’ will have a tremendous economic impact to Albuquerque.  Welcome!”

“The Scorch Trials” is directed by Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner,” “Beginners”) and produced by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (“The Maze Runner,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles”), Wyck Godfrey (“Twilight,” “The Fault in Our Stars”), Marty Bowen (“Twilight,” “The Fault in Our Stars”), and Lee Stollman (“The Maze Runner,” “Abduction”), with Joe Hartwick Jr. (“The Maze Runner,” “Life as We Know It”) as executive producer.

Written by T.S. Nowlin and based on the second book in the epic young-adult novel series by James Dashner, “The Scorch Trials” continues the saga begun in the current box-office hit “The Maze Runner.” Now, the “Gladers” from the first movie must survive in “The Scorch,” a futuristic wasteland ravaged by solar flares.

“The Scorch Trials” stars Dylan O’Brien (“The Maze Runner,” “Teen Wolf”), Ki Hong Lee (“The Maze Runner,” “She Has a Boyfriend”), Kaya Scodelario (“The Maze Runner,” “Moon”), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (“The Maze Runner,” “Game of Thrones”), Dexter Darden (“The Maze Runner,” “Cadillac Records”), Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad,” “The Usual Suspects”), Patricia Clarkson (“The Maze Runner,” “Shutter Island”) and Nathalie Emmanuel ("Game of Thrones," "Fast & Furious 7").

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com