Inside Look: New Mexico Film Incentives Are the Foundation to Industry in the State

NMFO's Mission Remains to Bring Various Productions to NM

From the Director's Desk

For nearly 60 years, the film industry in New Mexico has continued to level up — to the point that the state’s film incentive program remains a benchmark within the industry. In its truest form, the job of the film office is to administer the incentive and attract production to New Mexico to create jobs.

This is done by being a resource for producers, film crews, local filmmakers — all while keeping New Mexicans front and center of those productions.

As the industry recovers from a recent global downturn, New Mexico continues to have a competitive incentive, which has resulted in more than $317 million in direct spend year to date.

Over the course of the most recent fiscal year, there have been 57 productions, which include films, TV series, emerging media, commercials and post-production projects. This is a testament to how the NMFO searches for and helps cultivate a diverse slate of projects.

The state’s film incentive program is nearing 20 years in its current form, and its consistency has built relationships with studios, prodcuers and independent filmmakers that continues to bear fruit. With up to a 40% incentive, including 10% Rural Uplift, production activity has continued to touch every corner of the state.

The film office continues to cultivate its relationships across the world as well as within New Mexico. Film and television production supports thousands of jobs and has generated more than $3 billion in direct economic impact over the past five years in New Mexico. That activity also fuels a wide range of local industries, including construction, hospitality, and real estate.

The film office continues to get our message out to producers and are working hard to increase production and explore new avenues to increase jobs in New Mexico.

Steve Graham

Director, New Mexico Film Office

NMFO BY THE NUMBERS

INSIDE LOOK AT FILM OFFICES

FILM LAS CRUCES

The staff of Film Las Cruces is on the ground working in the southern New Mexico town.

The office helps productions find local vendors, crew and cast so that they can take full advantage of up to a 40% film incentive. The incentive is a big plus for Las Cruces and all rural areas that are 60 miles outside of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Film Las Cruces benefits from quality infrastructure, which includes permitting, experienced vendors, film schools and locations.

The film office has had a production every single month, either pre-production or actual shooting in the last year. In 2025, it had nine features, two network series, one vertical series and three high-profile shorts.

VISIT FILM LAS CRUCES

SANTA FE FILM OFFICE

The Santa Fe Film Office (SFFO), led by Regional Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia and Film Coordinator Andrew Griego, serves as a locally focused, relationship driven resource that supports productions from first inquiry through wrap. As a city/county partnership, the office specializes in on-the-ground facilitation — helping productions navigate locations, permitting, community connections, crew referrals, and real time problem solving.

The office collaborates with surrounding municipalities, counties, pueblos and rural areas to ensure productions have access to diverse locations, strong community partnerships, and a seamless experience throughout northern New Mexico. This regional coordination strengthens the overall production ecosystem and ensures that economic impact is shared across the broader area.

In 2025, SFFO assisted 54 productions, ranging from large episodic series and feature films to independent projects, documentaries, music videos, and commercials, reflecting the breadth and strength of production activity supported throughout the Santa Fe region.

The office works closely with regional film education programs including the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe Community College, and New Mexico School for the Arts, while also supporting industry partners such as Stagecoach Foundation, New Mexico Film Foundation, and the Santa Fe International Film Festival.

Visit Santa Fe Office

SPOTLIGHT ON NM-FILMED PROJECTS

'The Way We Carry Water' Continues Successful Festival Run

Makaio Frazier’s journey within the film industry has been one of growth.

The native New Mexican grew up surrounded by the arts as his mother is a dancer and his father is a filmmaker. Yet, the world of film didn’t really come calling until he worked on the New Mexico-made feature “Frybread Face and Me” in 2021.

Working as a set decorator, he fell in love with the medium. Today, Frazier is at the helm of Chile Line Media and his short film “The Way We Carry Water” had a festival run. It premiered last year at the Santa Fe International Film Festival and most recently picked up Audience Choice and Best Local Short awards at the Las Cruces International Film Festival.

Filmed in Alcalde, the production follows a young man named Marcos as he confronts the sudden loss of his grandfather. As the weight of grief mirrors the flowing waters that sustain his family's land, Marcos navigates the complexities of grief while striving to preserve his family's acequia, a lifeline that nourishes their crops and cultural heritage.

“Being part of the film industry here in New Mexico has helped my trajectory tremendously,” Frazier says. “The industry has always ebbed and flowed and despite the recent slowdown, my production company is taking off. I’ve been able to network with local producers. It’s been a blessing and I feel at home in New Mexico creating captivating stories. This is my personal oasis in the desert.”

View the trailer here .

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