The Santa Fe Film Festival is a 10-day celebration of the best in cinematic arts, the 24th Annual Santa Fe Film Festival will run in February 2024 with a program of over 100 screenings, panels, juried awards, Q&As for all films with filmmakers or representation, workshops, red carpet, press interviews, networking, and after-parties.
Voted as the best place for filmmakers to live by MovieMaker Magazine, there's a reason for that, not only because of the partnerships with Universal, Netflix, and others but because of our tax credits for filmmakers... and quality of life.
AND we are a quick flight from LA and a bit longer from NY or the East Coast but once you land you will find yourself transported to a place rich in history, culture, amazing food, and people.
Our jurors are also a mix with in-state local professionals to Hollywood, NY, and International professionals who appreciate all aspects of storytelling and independent film.
Our History
Long before New Mexico received statehood, artists have found our diverse landscapes, light, and culture integral for sharing their stories.
New Mexico has been a key part of filmmaking since the first ‘short film’ entitled “Indian Day School” was shot by a crew sent by Thomas Edison in 1898. Filmmakers found that shooting in the light in our state added more drama, depth, and atmosphere to the story.
With a rich history in film, it’s not surprising that over 300 feature films from Westerns to Action genres and everything in between has been shot here since 1911. Select titles include 3:10 to Yuma, The Astronaut Farmer, Silverado, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Grapes of Wrath, Red Dawn, Independence Day, Young Guns, and Wild Wild West.
In the 1920s, Film Festivals became popular with independent filmmakers as an alternative to Hollywood-controlled theaters, allowing them to share their important stories from documentaries to avant-garde films; allowing them to show their work to audiences, film distributors, critics, and fans.
The Santa Fe Film Festival’s beginnings started to grow organically forty years ago with an off-shoot from a festival in the region creating a “New Directors/New Film” program in partnership with MOMA (NYC) which attracted many notable Hollywood directors and film stars. From this start as a hub for celebrating filmmakers, the Santa Fe Film Festival was officially created in 1999 as a nonprofit and awarded “The Cider House Rules” as the first Best Feature.
Over the years, the Santa Fe Film Festival has garnered international industry acclaim receiving submissions from all over the globe by bringing together distinguished industry professionals and film-lovers alike with the diverse categories of cinema. We welcome you to join us.
Come experience the beauty of Santa Fe's culture and outdoors (skiing, hiking, biking, etc) and join us for our upcoming celebration of cinematic arts.
The Santa Fe Film Festival has concluded its 23rd edition with an in-person event featuring 90 films from all over the world. At this year’s festival, filmmakers were honored at the two filmmaker awards ceremonies held.
2023 Santa Fe Film Festival Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award
Karen Allen
Best Score
Eden River
Best Production Design
Problem of the Hero
Best Feature
Kasturba Gandhi
Best Documentary
Land of the Free (Out of the Shadows)
Best Cinematography
The Warm Season
Best International
Solo Adventures Around the World
Best Short
Last Breath
Best Short Story
Eden Rivera
Best Supporting Actress
Beth & Jeremy & Steve
Best Film
The Art Whisperer
Best Feature Documentary
Sloane: A Jazz Singer
Best Actor in a Short
Robert McKeon for Footnote
Best Director for a Short
Andrew Crawford for In Wake
Best Narrative Feature
When Time Got Louder
Best Score
Wonder
Best Screenplay
Good Doctor
Best Music Video
Angelica
Best Comedy
The Wrong Guy
Best Locally Made Short-Ryan Rox
Shipping Them
Best International Film
Mariupol Survivors
Best Screenplay Adaptation-Samuel Davey
Wilfrid
Best Actor in a Feature
Matt Page for Cop vs. Killer
Visionary Award-Nathanial Fuentes
New: Art is Culture, Culture is Art
Best Director-Tomas Sanchez
End of the Santa Fe Trail
Special Humanitarian Award
Genizaro Experience