Santa Fe, N.M. – Today New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced that “Stargirl,” produced by Walt Disney Pictures for Disney’s upcoming streaming service, will begin principal photography in September through mid-November in Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences.  

“We are very happy to welcome “Stargirl” and Disney to New Mexico. We know our crew, vendors and the communities of Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences will make this beloved story come alive on the screen,” said New Mexico State Film Office Director Nick Maniatis.  "Our state's unique history, crew, support services, and a very successful tax credit have drawn the producers back to our thriving industry."

“What a wonderful opportunity to have Truth or Consequences chosen as one of the location sites for “Stargirl” said Truth or Consequences Mayor Steve Green.  “The film industry has an enormous economic impact that is felt throughout all sectors of the economy, including small communities such as ours.  Having productions in Truth or Consequences makes our community proud.”

The production will employ 180 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico actors and approximately 3,500 New Mexico background talent.  

The feature will be directed by Julia Hart (“Fast Color,” “Miss Stevens”), produced by Kristin Hahn (“Tumbledown,” “Cake”), Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (“The Maze Runner” series) and Lee Stollman (“The Maze Runner” series), and executive produced by Jordan Horowitz (“La La Land”), Jerry Spinelli (“Stargirl” book series), Jim Powers (“The Maze Runner” series), Eddie Gamarra (“The Maze Runner” series) and Catherine Hardwicke (“Miss You Already”).
Starring Grace VanderWaal (“America’s Got Talent”) and Graham Verchere (“Summer of 84”), “Stargirl” is based on the award-winning book by Jerry Spinelli, a story of discovery - of high school, music, the importance of connection, and what it means to love and be loved.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

SANTA FE - The New Mexico Film Office will host its 6th annual New Mexico Film & Media Industry Conference on November 16th – 17th, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albuquerque. This year’s conference will open on Thursday night with One-on-One sessions with a variety of Industry Professionals.  Friday morning will kick-off two days of panels on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from fundraising, pitching and distribution to casting and agents, as well as ever important networking opportunities.

“Last year’s conference was a sold-out event and we’re seeing greater interest this year,” said Nick Maniatis, Director of the New Mexico Film Office. “This is an opportunity that our film community and local businesses should not miss.”

Some of the highlights from this year’s conference schedule are: 
•	“Pitching Your Project, in an Elevator and Other Places” panelists include David Rabinowitz (producer/writer) from “BlacKkKlansman” 
•	“LA to NM Casting from the Coast,” meet three Los Angeles casting directors and hear what it’s like to cast from LA for New Mexico projects
•	“Literary Representation: I Have a Script, Now What?” meet Literary Agents who represent screenwriters and learn about their processes
•	“Financing your Project…How Do I Pay for This?” learn how to raise money for your project

In addition, Meow Wolf will talk about how they have become such a phenomenal destination in such a short amount of time. We will also have special guests from productions on the ground for our opening and closing sessions.  You can check out the full line up of panels at: http://www.nmfilm.com/schedule-panelists-2018.aspx

We will have an open casting call with various background agencies Saturday from 9:30am - 1pm and will be screening the New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase winner’s films on Friday at 9am, 12pm and 3pm and Saturday at 9am in the Rio Grande room.  Both of these events are open to the public.  

Tickets are on sale now; the early bird rate is $55 now through September 17th.  Tickets will increase to $75 until November 15th at noon. You can also buy tickets at the door for $95. Student discounts are available as well with proper documentation.

For attendee registration, sponsorship and vendor opportunities and more information visit: http://nmfilm.com/film-media-industry-conference.aspx 

For questions about the Conference please contact Barbara Kerford, State Outreach Coordinator, New Mexico Film Office at BarbaraA.Kerford@nmfilm.com or call 505-476-5671.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com  

Santa Fe, N.M. - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the USA Network television pilot "Briarpatch," produced by Universal Cable Productions and Paramount Television, will begin principal photography in Albuquerque in September. Ana Lily Amirpour is set to direct. 

Starring Rosario Dawson, who will also serve as a producer, "Briarpatch" will employ approximately 200 New Mexico crew members and approximately 350-450 New Mexico background talent. 

"We welcome another great show to New Mexico," said New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "UPC and Paramount Television's commitment to New Mexico as a place to produce content such as 'Briarpatch' continues to serve as a great indicator for future productions in New Mexico."

"Briarpatch" follows Allegra Dill (Dawson), a dogged investigator returning to her border-town Texas home after her sister is murdered by a car bomb. What begins as a search for a killer turns into an all-consuming fight to bring the corrupt hometown Allegra thought she left behind to its knees. 

Based on the Ross Thomas novel of the same name, "Briarpatch" is written for television by Andy Greenwald, who will executive produce along with "Mr. Robot" creator Sam Esmail through his production company Esmail Corp and Anonymous Content's Chad Hamilton. "Briarpatch" celebrates the beloved genre that Thomas' book represents -- a unique blend of crime, thriller, mystery, and pulp fiction -- while updating his electrifying sense of fun, danger and place for a new generation. 

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About Universal Cable Productions: 
Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted content. Its premium slate of programming includes: "Homecoming" for Amazon Prime Video; "The Umbrella Academy" for Netflix; "The Act" for Hulu; "Dirty John" for Bravo; the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning drama "Mr. Robot," the Golden Globe nominated "The Sinner," "Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G," "The Purge" and "Suits" for USA Network; "Impulse" for YouTube Premium; "Happy!," "The Magicians" and "Channel Zero" for SYFY. UCP's content library also features 800 hours of award-winning content, including the Emmy Award-winning "Monk," the Peabody and Hugo Award-winning "Battlestar Galactica" and the Emmy nominated "Psych." UCP is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

Santa Fe, N.M. - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the new Warner Bros. Television / NM Talent Inc. TV Series "Roswell" will begin principal photography on its first season in Las Vegas and Santa Fe. Production will be from August 2018 - January 2019.   

"We welcome back Warner Bros., an extensive collaborator in the New Mexico film industry, with this creative story based on historic events in Roswell, NM," said New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "Our state's unique history, crew, support services, and a very successful tax credit have drawn the producers back to our thriving industry." 

The production will employ approximately 90 New Mexico crew members and 2,600 New Mexico background talent. 

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber added, "We're very pleased to have 'Roswell' shooting in the city and surrounding areas of Santa Fe. Warner Bros. in particular has been a long and trusted partner as we've built this industry in the region, so we are happy to keep building that partnership and creating jobs in our community." 

Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule Jiron said "Las Vegas, NM has a great history in films from the thirty plus silent films shot from 1913 to 1915 to the iconic film 'Easy Rider' and the hit TV series 'Longmire". We welcome the TV series 'Roswell' to the beautiful city of Las Vegas, NM." 

The Warner Bros. Television / NM Talent Inc series is produced by My So-Called Company, Amblin Television and Bender Brown Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Carina Adly MacKenzie ("The Originals") wrote the pilot script and serves as executive producer along with Julie Plec ("The Vampire Diaries," "The Originals"), Justin Falvey ("The Americans"), Darryl Frank ("The Americans"), Lawrence Bender ("Pulp Fiction") and Kevin Kelly Brown ("Roswell"). It is based on the Roswell High book series, written by Melinda Metz. 

After reluctantly returning to her hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, the daughter of undocumented immigrants discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer: he's an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance. The series stars Jeanine Mason ("Grey's Anatomy").

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the independent feature "Walking with Herb," produced by Optimism Entertainment, will begin principal photography in September through mid-October in Las Cruces and Artesia. 
"In addition to the impressive economic impact, a vibrant and healthy film industry creates opportunity for New Mexicans to tell their own stories," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "'Walking with Herb' features an impressive roster of homegrown talent. New Mexico's diverse landscapes, our depth of talent and infrastructure and our powerful film incentives are available to anyone with a good idea."  
"Las Cruces is thrilled to have 'Walking with Herb' filming in our community," said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. "This is the latest film in a busy summer that continues to show why Las Cruces is a great place to film. We're very proud of our thriving independent filmmaking community, wonderful locations and full service film office." 
The production will employ 52 New Mexico crew members, 25 New Mexico actors and approximately 581 New Mexico background talent. 
The Optimism Entertainment film is directed by Las Cruces resident Ross Marks ("Homage," "Twilight of the Golds") and produced by Santa Fe native Brian Espinosa ("Phantom Halo," "Paranormalcy") and Mark Medoff ("Children of a Lesser God"). "Walking with Herb" is based on the book by Joe S. Bullock and was adapted for the screen by Academy Award Nominated New Mexico resident Mark Medoff. NMSU alumnus, Keagan Karnes has been hired to Line Produce. The film stars Edward James Olmos (currently starring in "MYANS," the "Sons of Anarchy" Spin-off for FX), George Lopez and Mary McDonnell ("Dances with Wolves," "Passion Fish").  
"It's become our mission to create more film jobs and enhance the already thriving creative culture of New Mexico. As native New Mexicans, we're inspired to create content to showcase to the world all the beautiful landscapes and amazing talent we have in New Mexico. It's our home state and we plan to remind the entertainment industry how wonderful it is," said Brian Espinosa, Producer and CEO of Optimism Entertainment. 
"Walking with Herb" tells the story of sixty-five-year-old Joe Amable-Amo, who is struggling with his faith as his three-year-old granddaughter and her father have just died. The former amateur golf champion is besieged by the malaise of encroaching older age, working as a bank executive, gearing up for retirement, deep concern for his wife's unanswered needs, his humanitarian daughter's survival, and a potentially lethal loss of faith. But, at his nadir, in his office one afternoon, a voice speaks to him via his computer monitor. What does a syncopated voice--claiming to be God Almighty--have in mind for Joe? An incredibly quirky man named Herb who's a museum of tattoos on a motorcycle.

Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the independent feature "Walk. Ride. Rodeo." produced by Netflix and Poke Prod, LLC will begin principal photography at the end of July through mid-August in Santa Fe, Espanola and Albuquerque. 
The production will employ approximately 60 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico actors and 350 New Mexico background talent.  
"We are proud to welcome another great independent feature to New Mexico," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "New Mexico's deep base of talent, infrastructure, and competitive incentives continue to help us attract independent films to New Mexico." 
Directed by Conor Allyn ("Java Heat," "Overexposed," "Zoe Gone") along with producers Elizabeth Cullen and Sean Dwyer ("Jean of the Jones," "Zoe Gone"). 
"We are incredibly blessed to have our story's inspiring real life heroine Amberley Snyder so intimately involved in both the development of the script and the physical production of our film. People are going to be impressed. It doesn't get more real than what they are going to see here," said director Conor Allyn. 
Starring Spencer Locke ("Insidious: The Last Key," "Resident Evil Films," "Cougar Town), Missi Pyle ("The Artist," "Captain Fantastic," "Galaxy Quest"), Alyvia Alyn Lind ("Overboard," "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors," "Blended") and Bailey Chase ("Longmire," "24: Legacy," "Saving Grace"), "Walk. Ride. Rodeo." is written by Sean Dwyer and Greg Cope White ("Life With Louie," "704 Hauser"). 
"Amberley Snyder's story is one of incredible courage and triumph. Amberley is possessed with the self-confidence and strength of a true athlete. As soon as Elizabeth and I met Amberley, we had a passion to make this film. This story needs to be told," said writer/producer Sean Dwyer.  
Whatever life hands you, you've got three choices. Give up. Give in. Or give it your all. At 18, Amberley Snyder was a nationally ranked barrel racer when a car accident paralyzed her. Doctors said she would never walk again. But Amberley had three goals as she recovered - "Walk. Ride. Rodeo". Within four months, she was back on her horse, Power. But everything was different. Amberley needed to reawaken the strength within herself to find a way. She secured herself on the horse using a seat belt and velcro. She re-trained Power to listen to voice commands and not her legs. And she fought back and made it to the national championships - RFD-TV's The American - where, as she entered the ring, 70,000 people gave her a standing ovation. Amberley's story is one of perseverance, drive and believing in yourself - despite the odds thrown at you.

SANTA FE —New Mexico Film Office director Nick Maniatis announced that the 2018 Emmy Award Nominations were announced and New Mexico shot productions “Godless” and “Waco” received a total of 15 nominations for a variety of awards. 

Godless received a total of 13 nominations including New Mexicans Jo Edna Bolden (Location Casting) and Geordie Sheffer, Megan Daum and Carmen Jones (Outstanding Hair Styling for a Limited Series).
 “These nominations continue to validate New Mexico as a world class production center,” said Director Nick Maniatis.  “They are a testimony to the professionalism of our crews, our talent and our efforts to build the industry here in New Mexico.”  
Click here for a full list of nominations:  https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/70th-nominations-list-v3.pdf?180712
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SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that Clint Eastwood’s upcoming feature “The Mule,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Imperative Pictures, will film later this month in Las Cruces.  

“We're thrilled to welcome another production to New Mexico,” said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. “We're proud to see the film industry continuing to grow in and around Las Cruces - and throughout southern New Mexico.”

The production will employ approximately 85 New Mexico crew members and approximately 200 New Mexico background talent.  

“Las Cruces is excited to welcome Clint Eastwood and his new movie, ‘The Mule,’ to our community,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.  “Our diverse architecture and unique filming locations, great year-round weather, and full service Film Office and film studio make Las Cruces an ideal filming location.”

The film is directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, along with producers Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera, Jessica Meier, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas. It is executive produced by Dave Bernad, Ruben Fleischer and Todd Hoffman, and co-produced by Jillian Apfelbaum.  

Starring Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburn, Michael Pena, Dianne Weist, Alison Eastwood, Taissa Farmiga and Igancio Serricchio, “The Mule” is the story of Earl Stone, a man in his 80’s who is broke, alone and facing foreclosure of his business.  He is offered a job that simply requires him to drive however, unbeknownst to Earl, he’s just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel.  

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com

Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced that "Chambers," produced by Netflix and Benefactor Productions, LLC will begin principal photography mid-June through early-November in Albuquerque. 

The production will employ approximately 180 New Mexico crew members, 75 New Mexico actors and approximately 400 New Mexico background talent. 

"New Mexico's dedication to creating a film friendly environment is paying off - we are proud to welcome a team with such a successful track record of past productions," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "Our infrastructure, robust workforce, and powerful incentives have catalyzed New Mexico's film industry growth and development." 

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon ("American Horror Story," "Me and Earl," "The Dying Girl") will be an executive producer, director at least two episodes along with creator and executive producer/showrunner Leah Rachel ("Curious Females," "Boys I Used to Babysit," "Audrey") and executive producers Stephen Gaghan via Super Emotional ("Syriana," "Traffic," "Gold"), Wolfgang Hammer & Winnie Kemp via SuperDeluxe ("This Close," "Magic Funhouse," "Disengaged") and line producer Karen Moore ("Blood & Oil," "Breaking Bad," "Plain Sight").

"Chambers" is the story of a young heart attack survivor who becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding the heart that saved her life. However, the closer she gets to uncovering the truth about her donor's sudden death, the more she starts taking on the characteristics of the deceased -- some of which are troublingly sinister.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com  

SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the television series "Midnight, Texas" produced by Universal Television and David Janollari Entertainment will be filming from mid-June through mid-September in Albuquerque. 

The production will employ approximately 400 New Mexico crew members, 40 New Mexico actors and approximately 1,600 New Mexico background talent.  

"We're very excited that New Mexico has been chosen as the site for the second season," said Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. "With our talented workforce, depth of infrastructure, and an expanded incentive for TV productions, we are an ideal location for TV shows of all genres."  

Directed by Tim Andrew ("Teen Wolf"), Rob Greenlea ("Madam Secretary"), Stacey Black ("NCIS: New Orleans"), Marisol Adler ("The Brave"), Neema Barnette ("Luke Cage"), Barbara Brown ("American Horror Story") and Nick Gomez ("Daredevil"). Executive producers include David Janollari ("Six Feet Under"), Eric Charmelo ("Supernatural") and Nicole Snyder ("Supernatural").  

Starring Francois Arnaud ("The Borgias"), Dylan Bruce ("Orphan Black,"), Parisa Fitz-Henley ("Harry and Meghan: A Royal Romance"), Arielle Kebbel ("Vampire Diaries"), Jason Lewis ("Sex and the City") and Peter Mensah ("Spartacus"), "Midnight, Texas" is based on the best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris (author of the novels that inspired "True Blood").  

"Midnight, Texas" is a supernatural thriller that takes a journey into a remote Texas town where nothing is what it seems. In Midnight, Texas, being normal is strange and only outsiders fit in. It's a mysterious safe haven for those who are different - a perfect place for anyone looking to hide from the outside world.

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Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com