The New Mexico Film Office happily welcomed back the National Association of Latino Independent Producers for their seventh annual Latino Writers Lab in May, 2009. The Lab, which completes its second half of the program in Santa Monica, California, later this year, is part of an ongoing effort to develop above-the-line talents of our state’s local filmmakers, while introducing other Latino and Native writers to the opportunities and beauty of New Mexico. Many thanks to all the writers, mentors, volunteers and of course, the NALIP staff who participated this year!

	NALIP Writers Lab '09		NALIP Writers Lab '09

» 2008 Latino Producers Academy

The NM Filmmakers Program welcomed the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) to Santa Fe for three weeks in August 2008. Their Latino Producer’s Academy provided an intensive curriculum of skills development, career information and personal mentoring to twenty documentary producers, directors and editors working on feature-length non-fiction projects, and fifteen feature producers and directors aspiring to bring their projects to production and distribution. Of these, seven New Mexico-based producers were selected from a nationwide applicant pool. Local fellows were Darryl DeLoach and Marcos Ramirez (THE LIBERATION OF TAOS SKI VALLEY), Kelly Kowalski (SPOILED), Claudio Ruben (SALAAM, SHALOM), Jerry Angelo (SOMETHING EVIL IN THE APPLE ORCHARD), Conrad Gomez (SABINO DAYS) and Monica Vigil (HIGHWAY 101).

The Academy set up offices, a Final Cut Edit Lab, screening lounge and instructional areas at the Lodge at Santa Fe, using the Jean Cocteau Theatre for screenings and master classes. In addition, nearly 100 New Mexicans were engaged as staff, interns and crew on Academy productions, which were shot throughout the Santa Fe area. The Film Office thanks NALIP for their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Latino, Native American and New Mexican independent filmmakers, and congratulates all who participated.

» 2008 Latino Writers Lab

The New Mexico Film Office welcomed NALIP's sixth annual Latino Writers Lab May 7-11, 2008 in Santa Fe. The Lab, which completes its second half in Santa Monica this September, is as part of an ongoing effort to nurture the above-the-line talents of New Mexicans, while introducing other Latino and Native writers to the opportunities and vistas of the state. Six writers attended from New Mexico, along with three local mentors including writer/director Joan Tewkesbury (NASHVILLE), writer/producer Barbara Martinez-Jitner (BORDERTOWN) and writer/director Gregory Nava (EL NORTE). Six mentor/instructors also participated from Los Angeles: Carlos Bermudez, Ted Braun, Chip Diggins, Harrison Reiner, Miguel Tejada-Flores and Ligiah Villalobos. Additional professional presentations were given by WGA Diversity director Kim Meyers and NM Film Office Director Lisa Strout.

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

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

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