Grant Hangs in Balance for Santa Fe Studios

. . . from the Santa Fe New Mexican.

State officials say they are still reviewing plans for a film studio complex south of Santa Fe to determine if the project qualifies for a $10 million economic development grant.

Santa Fe County has already agreed to lend the private developers $6 million to build the complex, and provide another $3.6 million worth of infrastructure and water rights free of charge.

But the state departments of Finance and Administration and Economic Development haven't yet approved the project to receive the $10 million Local Economic Development grant.

"We have not certified this project," Toni Balzano, deputy cabinet secretary of the state Economic Development Department said Monday. Balzano said the department had come up with several amendments to the project agreement related to the number of jobs created and the financial guarantees in place to protect the city and county investments being made in to the project.

Those amendments were supposed to be considered during the County Commission meeting today — though they were listed on the consent calendar, which means they likely would not be discussed before the vote. But County Attorney Stephen Ross said Monday the amendments are "not ready for prime time yet," and the issue probably will have to be tabled at today's meeting.

Neither Santa Fe County nor the Economic Development Department could provide copies of the proposed resolutions.

Ross said the documents were not completed yet. Balzano said the amendments were not yet public record.

Santa Fe Film and Media Studios father-and-son partners Lance Hool and Jason Hool have been negotiating the film studios project with Santa Fe County for years.

The most recent version of the plan calls for. . .

To read the full article, click here!

Let incentives take state film industry to maturity

- Editorial submission by Lance Hool, CEO Santa Fe Studios and Hal Katersky, chairman and CEO of Albuquerque Studios.

The near-term success of our film industry in New Mexico depends on film incentives; in the long term it will depend on developing the local infrastructure, talent and crews.

We are on a solid ground, but we must keep growing. New Mexico is the most desired place to make movies, outside of Hollywood and New York. The crew base is growing and infrastructure is being established, but there is still a long road ahead. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, only 2 percent of the films shot in North America in 2009 were shot in New Mexico. We need to grow that number.

We've seen the growth of the film industries in Australia and Canada, and the demise of the Mexican and South African film industries. Each of these industries was launched with the help of incentives from governments.

The Australian and Canadian film industries are both thriving. They began to flourish in the 1970s with the help of tax incentives. Today they have reached a mature stage, and their indigenous industries are self-sustaining. This is proven by the fact that, although their currencies have surged against the U.S. dollar, both industries continue to thrive. Films can now be produced with 100 percent local talent. If Hollywood wants an Australian- or Canadian-made film, they need not import Hollywood crews and talent. Each of these two industries has excellent local talent and crews to, not only shoot the movie, but handle all post-production as well.

The South African film industry grew quickly with favorable tax incentives in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the South African government pulled the incentives too early and abruptly. Unlike Canada and Australia, the industry had not matured. There was no infrastructure, and the industry literally evaporated. The country is grappling with how to grow back their industry and has enlisted the help of New Mexicans, among others, to emulate our successful program of incentives.

To read the full article, click here!

National Geographic All Roads Program at the WSIFF!

THE WHITE SANDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TEAM UP TO SCREEN 3 DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMS DURING
THE 6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL APRIL 15-16TH, 2010

The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic program dedicated
to providing a platform for indigenous and underrepresented minority-
culture storytellers around the world to showcase their works to
promote knowledge, dialogue, and understanding with a broader, global
audience.

Tickets for the WSIFF can be purchased in advance online at www.wsiff.com
or during the festival at the WSIFF Box Office located in the Allen
Theatres Cineport 10 Lobby beginning Thursday, April 15th at 5:00pm.

PROGRAM 1
Karai Norte (Man of The North) • Director: Marcelo Martinessi
Based on a classic short story of Paraguayan literature, this powerful
short film focuses on two strangers in a chance, tense encounter from
an event they were both determined to forget. Paraguay | 2009 | 21
minutes | Guaraní (English subtitles)

Lesh Sabreen • Director: Muayad Alayan
Set in a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem, this short film
follows two young lovers who navigate their socially conservative and
Israeli-controlled community, dreaming of being together. Palestine |
2008 | 20 minutes | Arabic, Hebrew (English subtitles)

4 Kilometers • Director: Miri Shapiro
This film follows Hulud, a 15-year-old girl who goes on a journey that
enables her to embrace her Bedouin tradition and let go of her desire
for modernity. Israel/UK | 2008 | 22 minutes | Arabic (English
subtitles)


UNCONQUERED: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family
Director: Bryan Beasley
This is the story of one of the 20th Century’s most important artists.
It traces the Houser family from the 1860s through today, exploring
the oral traditions of the Apache people and the works of several
generations of artists. Houser’s lasting legacy is carried on by his
artist sons.
USA / 2009 / 32 minutes

PROGRAM 2

Let’s Not Forget • Director: Violet Harvey
Violet Harvey asks America to recognize Hweeldi, a dark and traumatic
event that the Diné had to endure for freedom. USA | 2008 | 3 min |
Navajo (English Subtitles)

Aak’ume Tsatseem’a - Past & Present • Directors: Vina Leno, Jennifer
Vallo, & Theresa Pasqual
A stunning photo slideshow that explores the changing role of Acoma
women in their community. USA | 2008 | 3 min | Keres (Acoma) & English
(English Subtitles)

Older Than America Director: Georgina Lightning
A woman’s haunting visions reveal a Catholic priest’s sinister plot to
silence her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that
occurred at a Native American boarding school. A contemporary drama of
suspense, Older Than America delves into the lasting impact of the
cultural genocide that occurred at Indian boarding schools across the
U.S. and Canada. USA | 2007 | 102 minutes | English

PROGRAM 3

Koyemostawi • Director: Valerie M. Thomas
The visualization of a song that a mudhead “Koyemsi” Katsina would
sing during night dances in the Kiva. USA | 2008 | 3 min | Hopi

El Regalo de la Pachamama • Director: Toshifumi Matsushita
At Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni (Salt Lake), where many families work with
salt, a 13-year-old boy named Kunturi lives a traditional Quechua life
with his family. His life begins to change when his grandmother dies,
a friend moves away and his father takes him on his first trip with
the llama caravan. For three months he travels the Ruta de la Sal,
exchanging blocks of salt his father and other villagers have chipped
from the lake, for other products of the Andes, the altiplano and the
valleys. He learns from these and other experiences and encounters
along the way, including meeting Ulala, the most beautiful girl he
could ever imagine. They feel the stirrings of first love as they
share the same dream: to run together across the immense white sea
that is the Salar de Uyuni, until they reach the end of the horizon.
Bolivia | 2008 | 102 minutes | Quechua (English subtitles)

Manipulated Image - Tonight!

A reminder to please join us tonight at the Santa Fe Complex for the 1st anniversary celebration of Manipulated Image.

"For Action's Sake"
- 16 VIDEO ARTISTS FROM 10 COUNTRIES
- LIVE ONLINE PERFORMANCES FROM HAMBURG & SWEDEN CREATED FOR THIS EVENT
- PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTS

If you're outside of Santa Fe - watch live virtual performances:
Niclas Hallberg and Stina Pehrsdotter from Sweden at 9:20pm (Santa Fe time): www.ustream.tv/channel/infectious-manipulation

Igor Stromajer from Hamburg at 9:50pm (Santa Fe time): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/for-action-s-sake#utm_campaign=www.facebook.com&utm_source=2925734&utm_medium=social


Co-curated by: Wilfried Agricola de Cologne & Alysse Stepaninan

Tonight, March 12, 2010
6:30pm - 11pm
tickets: $10 (includes food and reception)

Santa Fe Complex
632 Agua Fria (between St Francis and Guadalupe; enter on Romero, west edge of the Railyard)
Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
info@alyssestepanian.com

"Taking REFUGE in Las Cruces" An evening with WSIFF Board Member Mark Medoff

Tony Award Winning and Academy Award Nominee Writer/Director Mark Medoff (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD,WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK RED RYDER, CHILDREN ON THEIR BIRTHDAY'S, REFUGE)will present 83 minutes of stories, scenes, amusing videos, surprise guests and technological glitches from the making of his most recent film, REFUGE, starring Linda Hamilton.

All Proceeds Benefit the White Sands International Film Festival

Date: Saturday, April 03, 2010 7:00 PM, Reception starts at 9:00pm

Location
Allen Theatres Cineport 10 / Medoff Home
700 S. Telshor
Las Cruces, NM 880011
*Map to reception will be supplied at the screening

Price is $50.00 for individuals - $75.00 for couple

Info Line: 877-345-6973
Website http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/102326

Contact Kierstin Schupack: 626-664-0986
kierstin@wsiff.com

LA-ABQ Double-Shot Casting Connection Workshop!

The LA-ABQ DOUBLE-SHOT CASTING CONNECTION WORKSHOP, Brings you JASON WOOD, C.S.A., LA Casting Director, and KATHRYN BRINK, C.S.A., New Mexico Casting Director, for a Dynamic Workshop on the weekend of March 27^th & 28^th.

With 20 films and 21 television shows/episodes to his credit since 2008, JASON WOOD has got to be one of Hollywood’s busiest CDs. With 20 years of casting Principal & Supporting roles in film, video, TV, national & international commercials & documentary projects, KATHY BRINK is one of New Mexico’s busiest CDs. Spend a very FULL day (Saturday or Sunday) with these 2 experienced, working, professional Casting Directors. Prepare yourself to succeed, whether you plan to move into the LA Market, or stay right here in New Mexico. Learn from the best of both worlds, while you solidify invaluable relationships.

What You’ll Work On: Audition technique, 1-on-1 readings, scene work, taking adjustments & re-direction, making choices, tools of the trade, getting your act together, etc. Remember, the only thing you can ever be certain about in show business is, if the people who hire you don’t know you, they can’t consider you. The LA Casting Connection is committed to them knowing you, and to you being ready.

SPACES ARE LIMITED AND WILL NOT LAST. The presence of a Casting Director is never a guarantee of employment.

WHEN: Saturday or Sunday, March 27^th or 28^th, 9:30-5:30

WHERE: Far Horizons Studio, 304 Washington St. SE (between Central & Lead) ABQ

COST: $150 (checks made out to The Natural Act, mailed to: Price Hall, 53 Sandia Haven Dr., Cedar Crest, NM 87008; credit cards accepted via PayPal)

CONTACT INFO: 505-286-4272 office; 713-201-1245 cell.

Email: thenaturalact@gmail.com; www.thenaturalact.com

Open Casting Call for In Plain Sight for paid extras during this weeks Film and Fashion Industry night Wednesday March 3rd at the Q-Bar. We will be ho

There will be an open casting call for paid extras for "In Plain Sight" during this weeks Film and Fashion Industry night Wednesday March 3rd at the Q-Bar at Hotel Albuquerque.

The casting call will begin at 6:30pm. Casting directors will be on hand!

NM Women in Film Hosts Award Presentation and Showcase in Honor of Ali MacGraw

Local Non-Profit Film Chapter presents 2010 Sage Award and Showcase celebrating Local Celebrity and International Women’s Month

NM Women In Film (“NMWIF”), a non-profit chapter organization dedicated to supporting women’s achievement in film and television, is hosting a tribute to fellow New Mexican and actress, Ali MacGraw, at their 2010 Sage Award presentation on Sunday, March 21st. In addition, NMWIF will also present a showcase of the best female-created films from Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI)’s annual event held in March of each year.

The New Mexico Women in Film Sage Award was created to honor a person or entity which takes professional and/or financial risks to create important film and television work dedicated to the "greater feminine," i.e. issues of social justice, environmental degradation and protection, civil rights, racism and sexism. The NMWIF chapter conducted a call for nominations in 2009 and Ali MacGraw won the board members’ vote to receive the 2010 award.

“We are very excited to honor Ali and we look forward to a wonderful event celebrating her historic role in film, as well as the best short films from our sister filmmakers around the world,” said board member and co-chair of the Sage event, Trish Lopez. “We hope that our membership and the public will join us in Santa Fe on March 21st to commemorate this special occasion!”

WHAT: NM Women in Film: Sage Award Presentation with Ali MacGraw -and- International Women’s Day Showcase 2010
WHEN: Sunday, March 21, 2010 – 6:00pm-8:30pm
WHERE: NM Film Museum (Jean Cocteau Theatre) – 418 Montezuma, Santa Fe, NM
WHO: Open to the public - $15 for non-WIF members | Free for members
URL: www.nmwif.com