Visit Las Cruces “Stories” Contest

The Las Cruces International Film Festival, in collaboration with Visit Las Cruces, invites the public to submit entries for the "Visit Las Cruces Stories" video contest, showcasing the city as a vibrant tourism destination.

This year's theme revolves around Las Cruces Folklore!
[Las Cruces, New Mexico] — The Las Cruces International Film Festival (LCIFF) in collaboration with Visit Las Cruces proudly announces the launch of the "Visit Las Cruces Stories" 2nd annual video contest. This exciting initiative invites the public to participate in sharing the rich folklore of Las Cruces through compelling 3–5-minute video submissions.

Inspired by the likes of Chupacabra, La Llorona, and other captivating tales such as the Haunting of the Dona Ana Courthouse, the Double Eagle Murder and Haunting, the History behind Ft. Selden, Pat Garrett’s mysterious death, and The Hermit of La Cueva, participants are encouraged to delve into the unique narratives that define Las Cruces.

Submission Details:
The call for entries opens on December 16, 2023, and closes on February 28, 2024. Submissions can be made on FilmFreeway, and detailed guidelines can be found at [Visit Las Cruces Stories Contest](https://filmfreeway.com/VisitLasCrucesStoriesContest).

Ross Marks, Executive Director of LCIFF, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "At the heart of every community are the storytellers. Those that share the human experience and what their community represents. Las Cruces has many great storytellers. We are excited to give them this platform to tell their Las Cruces Story using the world's most powerful and effective medium—film!"

Awards and Prizes:
The top three entries will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250, respectively, along with LCIFF 2024 VIP tickets. Winning submissions will be showcased before each screening during the 2024 Las Cruces International Film Festival.

Rochelle Miller-Hernandez, Executive Director of Visit Las Cruces, emphasized the significance of the contest, stating, "Every city has a story, but who says Las Cruces only has to have one? This year’s Visit Las Cruces Stories contest highlights the unique tales and folklore that invoke our vibrant culture and community. We challenge filmmakers to use their creativity to bring these stories to life and entice visitors to include Las Cruces on their must-see bucket list. We are excited to see this year’s entries!"

Submission Guidelines:

Concentrate on a single folklore story from Las Cruces.
Duration: 3-5 minutes, accompanied by a 30-second teaser.
Note that submitted videos may be utilized for commercial purposes beyond the contest and LCIFF.