Group Picture		Chip's Group
	Ligiah's Session		Miguel's Session

2008 Latino Producers Academy™
August 5 – 14, 2008 (Documentary Track) Santa Fe, NM
August 12 – 22, 2008 (Feature Track) Santa Fe, NM
The application deadline has passed

NALIP believes that a Producer is the creative originator of films, a self-starter who recognizes ideas that have artistic or commercial merit. Producers must have passion, sensitivity for story and audience, plus the organizational ability and practical smarts to put together a project then guide it to and through the marketplace. NALIP’s Latino Producers Academy™ provides our Fellows the practical skills and knowledge to accomplish their personal goals and realize their artistic dreams as filmmakers.

The 2008 LPA Invites Applications from Documentary Producers in two categories:

• Documentary producer/directors with projects in development or production who have proposals and sample tapes, are invited with their producer/director partners
• Documentary producers with projects in post-production who have rough cuts are invited with their editors

The 2008 LPA Invites Applications from Narrative Feature Producers and Directors in two categories:

• Feature producers (including producer/directors or producer/writers) with projects in early stages of development that have viable scripts ready for packaging and advancement towards production; prior NALIP program participants must have advanced drafts
• Feature producers and their directors who have scripts in advanced stages of development with a package or ready to package (e.g. budget, executive summary, attachments, etc.); prior NALIP program participants must have advanced drafts

This program is competitive and highly selective. It is open to New Mexico residents with produced narrative or documentary work on which they played a key creative role. All Accepted Fellows are invited on full scholarship: materials, lodging, meals and local transportation provided, plus honoraria for documentary editors.

Applications are evaluated by a professional panel that considers the viability of each project, the type and quality of your prior work, your creative plans and commitment to a career in producing & media leadership, plus your potential to benefit from the Academy curriculum and opportunity.

For more information contact: Octavio Marin or Kathryn Galan at 310-395-8880

Click here for event descriptions and full schedule.

In March 2008, over 600 New Mexico-based filmmakers of diverse backgrounds gathered at the NM Filmmakers Conference and First Vision Forum in Albuquerque. There, they enjoyed two and a half days of speakers, panels, networking events, and exhibits from businesses throughout the state and beyond.

The Film Office gives special thanks to all of the attendees, panelists and speakers, especially keynote speaker Jeff Valdez and acclaimed director Gregory Nava, who offered a wealth of information with great passion and inspiration. Plus John Forbes, Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center; Tim McNeal, Disney/ ABC; Carlos Peinado, Institute for American Indian Arts; Kathleen Broyles, Sundance Institute; Kathryn Galan, National Association of Latino Independent Producers; David Behm, the International Cinematographers Guild; Richard Davis and Sheldon Mirowitz, the Berklee College of Music; Heather Rae; Dan Bigbee; Barbara Martinez-Jitner; Van Hayden; Mitch Levine, Film Festival Group; Harris Tulchin, Esq.; Harlan McKosato of Native America Calling; plus Nancy Laflin, Julie Crane, Nosotros and Native Roots.

In addition, we thank the following for their kind support: the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, PSAV, the NM Music Commission, Screen Actors Guild, SAGIndie, New Mexico Lighting and Grip, Kodak, Panavision, Albuquerque Studios, HDNM Studio Services, the NM Law Group, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, NM Governor’s Commission on Disability and UNM.

Finally, we acknowledge the NM Filmmakers who graciously shared their work during the conference:
Debra Anderson, Nanobah Becker, Pierre Berrera, Janet Davidson, Ramona Emerson, Don Gray, Erin Hudson, Chris Jonas and Molly Sturges, Tamarind King, Armando Kirwin and Daniel Dinning, Hannah Macpherson, Scott and Paula Merrow, Rick Romancito, David Stout and Cory Metcalf, Jonathan Sims, David Valdez and Philip Gunn

NM Filmmakers Conference and First Vision Forum 2008
Film Office Director Lisa Strout on opening night		Corey Metcalf performs "Noisefold"		Harlan McKosato of Native America Calling hosts the opening night screening and performance
Partygoers		Eric Witt of the Governor's Office introduces Gregory Nava		NM filmmaker James Bustamante works on a scene with Gregory Nava
Conference attendees visit with exhibitors		Audience member		Audience member
Audience Member		Richard Davis from the Berklee College of Music		Kathleen Broyles of the Sundance Institute
Audience member poses a question		Producer Heather Rae		Producer Dan Bigbee
Charmaine Jackson-John, Keynote speaker Jeff Valdez, Mateo Ulibarri and Lisa Strout		Mitch Levine, Film Festival Guru		Kathryn Galan, Executive Director of NALIP
Posing a question		Harris Tulchin, Esq.		Carlos Peinado of IAIA
Producer Van Hayden		NM Filmmaker Don Gray with Jodi Delaney
Photos by Don Gray

The Film Office is pleased to announce that the National Association of Latino Independent producers is bringing the first round of their Latino Writers Lab to New Mexico in May 2008. The Lab is designed to assist up-and-coming writers who aspire to create independent feature scripts, or work in the film and television industry, but who need skills development and mentoring in order to advance. In 2008, the Lab will run in Santa Fe, NM May 7 - 11, 2008, with a second session after scripts are rewritten from September 24 - 28, 2008, in Santa Monica, CA. Participants are chosen after submitting either a first draft developed from a treatment, or a polished script based on a rough draft for work during the program. The Lab provides in-depth skills work on storytelling, scene writing and rewrite techniques each morning, and develop skills that align reader reactions with a writer's intention. Working lunch sessions include professional information on guilds and unions, legal rights and clearances, adapting stories and plays for the screen, and the work producer/writer relationship. Each afternoon includes intensive mentoring on each writer's specific draft screenplay with professional advisors and peers.

For more information contact:
Octavio Marin or Kathryn Galan at 310-395-8880

On April 27th, 2007, over 350 filmmakers from throughout the state attended the FIRST VISION FILMMAKERS FORUM, hosted by the New Mexico Film Office and its NM Filmmakers Program.

Held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, the Forum was the largest assembly of Native American, Latino/Latina, African-American, and Aboriginal (Canadian) film and television industry experts to gather in the southwest. Panels included filmmakers Chris Eyre, Gary Farmer, Vangie Griego, and Barbara Martinez-Jitner, along with representatives of Latino Public Broadcasting, Native American Public Telecommunications, the Aboriginal People’s Television Network, and the All Roads Film Project, an initiative of National Geographic. Noted film producer and activist Moctesuma Esparza delivered a powerful keynote address.

Emerging and veteran filmmakers from all backgrounds had the opportunity to attend four panels exploring cultural trends and diversity film initiatives, plus a film screening showcasing New Mexico filmmakers.

Special thanks to Governor Richardson, Eric Witt, Moctesuma Esparza, NM Screen Actors Guild, NM Music Commission, UNM I-TV, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, IATSE Local #480, and all of our speakers and volunteers.

Click here to view the Forum schedule of events.

“Reel World” panelists, from left to right: Deborah Johnson, Chris Eyre, Vangie Griego, Gary Farmer (speaking) and Barbara Martinez-Jitner.

Audience members listen at SAG panel

Keynote speaker Moctesuma Esparza visits with Forum attendee