The Las Cruces International Festival is back for its 11th year with 160 films ranging from short to feature-length and music videos to animation from the U.S. and around the world. The festival that drew 3,000 people to watch 60 films 11 years ago is now expected to attract an audience of more than 12,000 to the Allen Cineport 10 for a five-day event April 8-12.
“The festival embraces unique, independent filmmakers, filmmakers with important voices that we need to celebrate and put in front of an audience,” said Ross Marks, New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute professor and festival executive director.
The LCIFF is presented by NMSU and Visit Las Cruces. The number of sponsors for the event continues to grow each year. VIP passes are $200, All-Access Passes are $100, Day Passes are $35 and admission to celebrity screenings is $35. Tickets are available now at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.
The festival brings more than a unique entertainment experience and celebrities to Las Cruces and the region.
“Our 10th anniversary was just amazing last year. We had our increase of 30% in attendance,” Marks said. “The economic impact for the city has grown along with the festival each year. The revenue we’re generating has probably grown eight times over the years. The same would be true of the economic impact for the city.”
The film festival will include free workshops and panels in various locations for students and community members. This year’s topics include stunts, acting, horror films, prop-making and directing.
It serves as not only as a “world-class” showcase for independent filmmaking, but also as a hands-on learning experience for students at the university.
LCIFF is now the largest student-run film festival in the country. Approximately 80 to 100 NMSU students in the Creative Media Institute and the Creative Media Technology program at Doña Ana Community College work together putting on the festival under Marks’ guidance.
Marks teaches two courses at NMSU on how to produce a film festival. During the fall course, he teaches students to prepare for the festival while the spring course gives them the hands-on experience of producing the festival. He describes it as a "lab and a classroom" for NMSU students, fostering growth for southern New Mexico’s film industry.
“At the beginning of the semester, they're thinking, 'Oh man, I don't think we can pull this off. This is scary.' But by the end, every single one of them is empowered and confident because they do pull it off,” Marks said. “That’s the payday for me.”
Several celebrity guests will be on hand, including actor Michael Rooker, who will receive the festival’s “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment” award on April 9 and have a question-and-answer session with a screening of the film “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
There's still time to get a ticket to Friday's LCIFF Poster Party. Asiah Thomas-Mandlman, local artist and NMSU alumna created artwork for this year's festival poster, which will be revealed at an event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 6 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
The complete schedule of films, workshops and special VIP parties is available along with tickets at lascrucesfilmfest.com.
CUTLINE: Get ready to grab your popcorn at the Allen Cineport 10 for this year’s Las Cruces International Film Festival April 8-12. Five days, 160 films, celebrities, workshops and VIP events. (NMSU photo)
Editor's Note: For further information, press credentials and ticket inquiries, contact Kyle Ivy at 575- 642-5323, kyleivy@nmsu.edu.
