Santa Fe Film Institute creates grant, scholarship for movie makers

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Apr. 14—The Santa Fe Film Institute (SFFI) has supported filmmaking in New Mexico for more than a decade.

The organization unveiled its Granting Program and Scholarship, which will support New Mexico film students and cultivate filmmaking in the surrounding region.

The grant program will open up its application process on May 1.

The program will benefit local and regional filmmakers, as well as cast and crew, and other industry members, helping to ensure the completion and success of regional film projects.

"It is pretty exciting to be able to connect with working filmmakers locally in a whole new way," said Jacques Paisner, SFFI board president. "We are pleased that this grant and scholarship leave the artistic vision in the hands of the filmmaker."

According to SFFI, eligible projects include those of any runtime, including films, scripts, and treatments that are in the development stage, in-progress, in pre-production, in production, and in post-production.

"Rather than controlled-content grants or opportunities that exclude young filmmakers, these opportunities are intended to enliven the local filmmaking community at a time when the new projects can use a boost," Paisner said. "These grants and scholarships will provide a chance for local filmmakers to add to their budgets, and help launch new productions."

New Mexico residents may apply for up to $2,500 in grant funding, while applicants in the surrounding states — Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas — will be eligible to apply for up to $2,000.

SFFI will award multiple grants in 2021, for a total of $5,000 to be announced in November.

The organization is also expanding its student initiatives to include a scholarship program for New Mexico film students.

"Encouraging students in the local community to continue their educational and professional careers in New Mexico, (SFFII) scholarships will benefit students that are pursuing film studies and enrolled in a high school or college within the state," Paisner said.

Two New Mexico students will each receive a $500 scholarship for the fall semester of 2021.

"Billy Wilder made 'Ace in the Hole' here and John Ford made 'Grapes of Wrath' here," Paisner said. "Directors like Dennis Hopper, Ivan Reitman and Scott Cooper have filmed here. So now this next class of filmmakers can take advantage of this new grant."