Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries

Pursuant to Section 9-15-4.1 NMSA 1978, the Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries is currently comprised of ten (10) members, each appointed by the Governor per statue to four-year staggered terms provided that the initial appointments shall be made so that one-half of the members shall be appointed for two-year terms and one-half of the members shall be appointed for four-year terms. 

The Council’s mission is: “To serve as a resource and recommending body to the Governor and the New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) to promote film, television and emerging media within and throughout New Mexico and assist in carrying out the Economic Development Department’s Film Division strategic plan.”

Talia Kosh, Chair

Talia Kosh works at The Bennett Law Group in Santa Fe and is President and Founder of New Mexico Lawyers for the Arts, assisting and educating artists, filmmakers and musicians with business and legal matters. Talia’s work also focuses on creating space to develop conversation and solutions to connect creative talent through collaboration in New Mexico.

Alicia Keyes

Alicia Keyes is a former Disney executive turned independent producer and writer. Recently, she produced and sold “Blaze You Out” (written and directed by New Mexicans) to Lionsgate. She is in post-production on “Biomass” and has a slate of films in various stages of development under her production banner, AJK Films. Alicia also serves on the board of NMEDIA and Animal Humane NM.

Luke Renner (Chair, Outreach Sub-committee)

Luke Renner is the Professor of the San Juan College Digital Media Arts & Design Program.  He worked for 7 years in broadcast television at an NBC affiliate.  During this time he produced over 80 local interest shows including Great Southwest Voice of Native America.  Luke then left television to manage marketing and public relations for the Farmington Museum system.  He later started a marketing division for the City of Farmington’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs which oversees the museum system and seven other departments.   In 2004, he began teaching as adjunct faculty in the San Juan College Creative Arts and Design Program then began teaching full-time in 2007.  During this time, he re-designed the existing program into the current Digital Media Arts and Design Program.  

Greg Hewett

Greg Hewett has worked as a film technician for over twenty-five years, eighteen of which have been in New Mexico. He has seen production in every budget size within the movie and television business and has also been involved in educating New Mexico crew on safety issues and production efficiency. Greg has campaigned to keep the workforce of New Mexico in New Mexico and is a firm advocate for Union rights. He is currently working on an education project to help people learn and master the art of gripping.

Rajeev Nirmalakhandan

Rajeev Nirmalakhandan was born in Sri Lanka, raised in New Mexico, and educated in Los Angeles. He is now a writer and director and is a faculty member at The Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University. Rajeev has worked creatively for over fifteen years in commercials, films, and other media, and recently co-wrote and directed a feature film entitled, “The Odd Way Home.”

Teri Farley (Chair, Emerging Media Sub-committee)

Teri Farley came to New Mexico ten years ago to head the animation department at an Albuquerque university for art and design. She now works freelance, doing work for nonprofits that take advantage of her passion and skills for film, graphic design, multimedia, storytelling, networking, fundraising and animation.

Tonya Stinson

Tonya Stinson is the Executive Director of the Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau.  The FCVB markets Farmington and the surrounding Four Corners area as a tourism destination.  Tonya’s office also oversees the San Juan County Film Office and she serves as the area’s official liaison to the NM Film Office

If you are interested in serving on the Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries CLICK HERE.

The next meetings will be conducted via phone on October 24, 2019 and on November 14, 2019

For questions regarding the Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries contact:

Rochelle Bussey, Sr. Manager of Operations and Workforce Development:  rochelle@nmfilm.com or 505-476-5604.