Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

NEW MEXICO FILM OFFICE

New Mexico film production breaks record, ramping up in Las Cruces

Posted

The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) announced that in fiscal year 2021, despite the global shutdown of production due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has recorded an estimated $623 million in direct spend by film and television productions in New Mexico, breaking all previous state records. 

Things are also looking up for film and television production in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, according to local industry officials.

“Film and television production in FY2022 has kicked off stronger than ever for Las Cruces,” said city Film Liaison Jonathon Sepp. “The global shutdown of productions abruptly paused the growth of the industry for Las Cruces, but filming activities are quickly ramping up this month with five productions in place."

“As the film industry roars back to life, we are more committed than ever to ensure that Las Cruces and Doña Ana County gets its share of the growing industry in New Mexico,” said state Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Doña Ana, who is president of the nonprofit Film Las Cruces (FLC). “The tools we have put in place, including the extra 5 percent rebate and full-service film office, are starting to pay off. We are developing a reputation as the up-and-coming production center in New Mexico.”

FLC has contracts with the city and with Doña Ana County to bring film and television production to the area.

An estimated 9,000 New Mexicans work in the industry with an average wage of over $56,000 annually, NMFO said. In FY21, approximately 75 percent of total below-the-line crew were New Mexico residents, including, 4,559 New Mexico crew, 1,374 New Mexico cast members and 13,538 New Mexico background and extras employed by productions registered with NMFO.

NMFO estimated that 40 percent of production budgets are spent on procuring goods and services from New Mexico businesses, including caterers, hardware stores, car rental companies, sign makers, dry cleaners, art galleries and glaziers. In addition, property owners who list their property as a film location are discovering the industry can provide an additional revenue stream, NMFO said.

Although production was halted for approximately one quarter of the fiscal year due to Covid-19, the state still saw 69 productions, 26 film, 24 television and 19 additional media productions since returning to set in September 2020, NMFO said. The Covid-positive rate among productions remained extraordinarily low, an average of 0.13 percent, the film office said.

NMFO, a division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, is located in Santa Fe. Contact the office at 505-476-5600 and info@nmfilm.com. Visit nmfilm.com.

FLC is located at 340 N. Reymond St. in Las Cruces. Contact FLC at 575-805-3456. Visit filmlascruces.com.

New Mexico Film Office

X