The Borders | No Borders short film competition is now accepting submissions through Aug. 10 and is open to narrative and documentary films with ties to Texas, Mexico, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana. A panel of three jurors will select finalists to screen at the 2026 Houston Cinema Arts Festival in early October, awarding two films in each category cash prizes totaling $3,000.

Previous finalists include SXSW winning films "Folk Frontera" and "Águilas," Slamdance selection "A Few Things I'm Beginning to Understand," and IDA-nominated "since you arrived, my heart stopped belonging to me."

Submissions are open now through Aug. 10. A 50% discount code MadeinNM26 can be used for New Mexico-based filmmakers or groups.

The link to submit and learn more information is here: https://filmfreeway.com/Border...

Santa Fe Film Institute (SFFI) has announced this year's filmmaker granting cycle, which will award $50,000. The grants are set to close on July 20, 2026.

The nonprofit Santa Fe Film Institute, which presents the Santa Fe International Film Festival each October, will provide up to $40,000 in Regional Grant funding and up to $10,000 for the Los Luceros Grant.

Filmmakers applying to the Regional Grant must live in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, or Texas, and filmmakers applying to the Los Luceros Grant must live in Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, or Taos County and will be expected to create a film partially or fully shot at the Los Luceros Historic Site.

Santa Fe Film Institute and the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area will also collaborate to present up to $2,000 for a scholarship for Northern New Mexico students pursuing film studies in 2026, and the application will open Aug. 4.

For both the NRGNHA Scholarship and the Los Luceros Grant, applicants must reside in Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, or Taos County.

To apply, please visit santafefilminstitute.org

The Native Professional Advancement Center and National Indian Youth Council is launching its “Production Assistant Training Program” with two-day training sessions in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.

The two-day, industry-aligned training will provide hands-on workforce readiness and career preparation for individuals interested in entering New Mexico’s film and media production industry.

The training will focus on the day-to-day operations of the locations department and the role of Production Assistants while helping participants gain practical experience, build industry knowledge, and connect with filmmakers, production professionals, and workforce partners.

The Production Assistant Training Program will be offered in four New Mexico communities:

Las Vegas — July 17–18

Santa Fe — July 24–25

Albuquerque July 31 – Aug. 1

The program will introduce participants to key responsibilities of production assistant work, with a specific focus on location-based production needs. Participants will gain insight into set operations, crew expectations, professional communication, safety, preparation, and the fast-paced demands of film and media work.

To learn more or register as space is limited, click here.