Local Film = Unlimited Potential By Christa Valdez
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here’s no telling where a Texasborn, Mexico-raised, Canadatrained filmmaker may end up, but in this case the answer is New Mexico. For filmmaker Alejandro Montoya Marin, the options ranged from New York to Los Angeles, but after a successful run with the Albuquerquebased YouTube series Film Students in 2011, Marin turned his attention to growing partnerships with a talented local crew poised for a new level of exposure. In five short years, Marin tapped into the local
film market with an impressive team who has backed him in churning out multiple independent projects that are now grabbing global attention. In December 2015, Marin won best short film with Low/ Fi at the Original Santa Fe Film Festival. Additionally, he and his team landed the coveted Shoot Santa Fe Pilot Project prize, which will supply them with the resources to produce a series pilot based on their short film trailer, The Joneses. The first year winner of the same competition went on to be picked up for a studio-backed series
with a reported million dollar budget. Both projects stand to bolster the already booming talent pool and recognition of locally made productions. The lure of New Mexico’s film industry has spread to neighboring states and among many creatives nationwide who, like Marin, have moved here to pursue it. Those firmly rooted in the industry and within the community stand ready to continue that influx. Santa Fe’s own Mayor Javier Gonzales has begun the