Film spending in rural New Mexico hits all-time high
Governor-backed incentive focuses on productions in smaller communities
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor
Rob Black
Cabinet Secretary

Steve Graham
Director
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 23, 2026
Contact: Jey Bernal
Jey@NMFilm.com
Film spending in rural New Mexico hits all-time high   
 Governor-backed incentive focuses on productions  in smaller communities 
SANTA FE — The New Mexico film industry’s Uplift Zone incentive brought in a record $55.74 million to the state’s economy in direct spending in Fiscal Year 2026, driven by productions across the state. 
According to New Mexico Film Office data, the total bests the previous record of $50.2 million in fiscal year 2022.  
The Uplift Zone is part of New Mexico’s broader film incentive strategy to encourage productions to film in smaller communities, support economic development in rural areas and create jobs and boost local economies outside urban centers.  
Productions shooting in New Mexico can qualify for a base refundable tax credit of 25% on qualified New Mexico expenditures. Shooting in the Uplift Zone can add 10% to the base credit for qualified expenditures made in areas at least 60 miles outside the City Halls of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Additional uplifts can bring the total credit to 40%. 
In 2023, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham doubled down on the incentive by signing Senate Bill 12, which increased it from 5% to 10%. The move helped to further incentivize production spending in rural communities across the state.
 
“New Mexico continues to set the standard for film incentives, with states across the country following our lead,” said Lujan Grisham . “The Uplift incentive helps keep us competitive, bringing jobs, production spending and continued economic opportunities to communities throughout the state. Productions may come for the incentives, but they return for our talented crews and strong industry infrastructure.” 
“It’s about creating film opportunities far beyond New Mexico’s traditional production hubs to keep New Mexicans working,” said Steve Graham, New Mexico Film Office director. “For small towns, there is an immediate and significant impact. This record-setting year shows the value of investing in our communities and expanding the reach of New Mexico’s film industry.” 
Since 2020, the film industry has generated more than $6.4 billion in economic impact in New Mexico. The state has hosted 63 productions generating $320 million in spending across New Mexico in the current fiscal year ending June 30. 
Uplift production spending increased from $4.5 million in fiscal year 2020 to $6.5 million in fiscal year 2021, reached a record of $50.2 million in fiscal 2022, and hit $21.2 million amidst industry strikes in fiscal 2023. Fiscal year 2024 brought in $42.15 million and fiscal year 2025 brought in $32 million. The current fiscal year has seen 26 total productions that have filmed at least partially in the uplift zone. 
The mission of the New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) is to improve the lives of New Mexicans by growing the entertainment industry opportunities in the state.

As the first film commission in the United States created to market an entire state to the industry in 1968, NMFO has led the way for over 50 years.
Three New Mexico cities were selected as “2026 Best Place to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” by MovieMaker Magazine for the fourth consecutive year.

To learn more, visit nmfilm.com . 
The New Mexico Film Office
1100 S. St. Francis Drive, Suite 1242 
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-5600
info@nmfilm.com
 
A division of the  New Mexico Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department's Mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive.
 
   
New Mexico Economic Development Department | 1100 South St. Francis Dr Joseph M. Montoya Building | Santa Fe, NM 87505-4147 US
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