Adventure, romance, drama, and high stakes, all contribute to a good’ol western.

The Tucumcari Film Festival celebrates the spirit of exploration, imagination, and the rich heritage of the frontier through the diverse categories of science fiction, comedies, westerns, and impactful documentaries. With this year’s theme centered around "Visions of Frontier," the festival aims to transport audiences to uncharted territories of the mind, invoking laughter, awe, and contemplation.

By combining these genres, the festival seeks to create a unique cinematic experience that showcases the evolution of the frontier concept across different settings and time periods. Whether it's exploring outer space in science fiction, embracing the comedic moments found in the rugged wilderness, or revisiting the mythical landscapes of the Wild West, the festival promises a range of emotions and thought-provoking narratives.
At the heart of "Visions of Frontier" lies the notion of pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and venturing into the unknown. The festival encourages filmmakers to delve into the themes of exploration, resilience, and the human spirit's triumph over adversity, showcasing stories that captivate, entertain, and inspire. This overarching theme allows for a diverse range of submissions, including poignant and impactful documentaries that shed light on the frontiers of social issues, historical events, or personal journeys.

The Tucumcari Film Festival fosters a space where storytelling transcends conventional boundaries by embracing the connection between these seemingly distinct genres. Audiences will be taken on a cinematic journey that evokes curiosity, laughter, and reflection, and ultimately invites them to ponder the untapped potential of the human spirit.

Through the "Visions of Frontier" theme the festival aims to unite filmmakers and viewers in a celebration of the boundless creativity and limitless possibilities that exist both within and beyond the frontiers of our imagination.

At its first edition, the Tucumcari Film Festival (Formerly the Tucumcari Rawhide Days Film Festival) celebrated all of these moments by showing the television show Rawhide and other creations that reflected the southwest and western from the lawless frontier towns to the beatniks who roamed Route 66.

Among the selected films will be professional and amateur works from international, national, and local New Mexico filmmakers and creators. All categories have awards attached to them.

Topics for workshops are under consideration, what would you like to see? Message us here or on our Facebook.
Want to join the adventure and or sponsor the festival?

Email us @ FilmTucumcari@gmail.com

Volunteer opportunities are available as well. Want to volunteer? Contact us here or on our Facebook page.

Official Selection of the Festival
Best of Category
Best of Show, (Judges Choice)
Audience Choice

Sheriff's Star
The Sheriff's Star is awarded in recognition of films that tackle deep social and political issues, thereby providing a guiding light for all of us. This award is given by the choice of the Sheriff (Director) of the festival

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
We have no film premiere requirements or date of completion requirements

Because the festival is always evolving, there will be no prior notice given on scheduling.

General Eligibility Terms
No Entry will be considered for screening that contains nudity, and or pornographic material.
No Entry will be considered for screening if it contains gratuitous, brutal violence.
No Entry will be considered for screening if it contains extreme profanity.
No Entry will be considered for screening if it contains extreme gore. (Near bloodless gun fights are an exception)

SELECTION & NOTIFICATION
All entries will be viewed by the selection committee. All entry fees are non-refundable. Selected films will be announced before, on or around April 20th, 2024. All entrants will be notified by email. The festival does not pay rental/screening fees for submitted/selected work. For selected films, the exhibition file format is .mp4, h.264, 1920x1080, stereo.
DCP packaging is appreciated upon request. If your film is not in DCP format, please reach out to service vendors like AutoDCP.com


Student Works Eligibility
Student Submitters submit a valid student I.D.

Terms and Conditions:
I have carefully read and understand the complete rules of the festival. By entering your film for consideration for the Tucumcari Film Festival 2024, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival screening and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. Entry into the festival constitutes permission to screen your work at the Tucumcari Film Festival.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the Tucumcari Film Festival, shoottucumcari.com, Tucumcari, and any other agents, owners, and employees of said entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Submitters do not need to be present to receive awards. But your presence is appreciated and please notify us if you plan to attend so we can prepare passes for you.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We are incredibly honored to have our short film DORFMAN RIDES AT DAWN screen at this years Tucumcari Film Festival. Although we weren't able to attend in person, we followed the event via the festival's social media posts. Great communication, fantastic films and amazing filmmakers! Highly recommended!!

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    It was an honor to screen your hard work! It was a great opening film for the festival!

  • A big thanks to Robert and crew for the opportunity to screen at TFF. The communication and theater were great! We hope to be back!

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Pat! We hope your travels go smoothly! Looking forward to the possibility of hosting you next year!

  • Doug Cunningham

    The Tucumcari Film Festival is one of the best experience our short film, HIGHWAY, has had on the festival circuit! The organizers were so friendly! Bobby greeted me by name when I walked in the door of the festival venue, and we'd never even met before! The Q and A sessions with the filmmakers were really well done, the screenings looked and sounded great on the screen at the old-time Odeon Theatre (a great venue!), and the people I met--both other filmmakers and the fest volunteers--were all just great folks. The trophies handed out to the winners of various categories were top-notch (we won two). I would definitely recommend this festival to others, and I can't wait to return next year! Thanks!

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    It was a fantastic honor to host you and screen your films! Thank you for the review and those kind words!

  • Sadly, we were unable to attend, but was extremely thankful that our film was selected. Tucumcari FF is run by a passionate group that genuinely cares about films and the filmmakers.
    It was truly an honor to be a part of it.

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hopefully next year! The crowd enjoyed your film!

  • Robertson Tirado

    The Tucumcari Film Festival awarded my film Manhattanese ‘Best of Animation,’ I was humbled by the two-day experience. Those that attended express their joy for the music, vibrant colors, narration, and asked how I created it. Some even research the history of NYC shown in the story. Overall, the festival was layered with kindness, friendship and care.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    It was great to have hosted you and an honor to screen your film and have you speak!