New Mexico flavor: Santa Fe International Film Festival continues to highlight state's filmmakers

Eight features. Seventeen short films.

This is the number of New Mexico films that will be showcased at the Santa Fe International Film Festival.

The festival is marking its 15th year and begins Wednesday, Oct. 18, and runs through Oct. 22, in Santa Fe.

According to organizers, the projects were either filmed within the state, or created by a filmmaker from New Mexico. This year there are three New Mexico Short Film Programs, including the New Mexico Short Film Programs 1 and 2, and New Mexico Documentary Shorts.

“Caiti Blues” directed by Justine Harbonnier — U.S. Premiere

Caiti Lord had always dreamt of being a singer. A born-and-bred New Yorker, her future was sparkling bright … But today, the only thing that glitters is the snow that falls on the desert. Self-exiled in Madrid, New Mexico, between her day job slinging drinks to tourists and the sleepless festive nights, her life is slipping by. That’s the story she tells each day on her radio show. How can she find her way back to a place of meaning and self-expression?

“First We Bombed New Mexico” directed by Lois Lipman — World Premiere

A formidable Hispanic cancer survivor bangs on the corridors of power to fight for compensation and an apology for Native and Hispanic communities in New Mexico whose land and water was radiated by the Trinity Bomb … The story that “Oppenheimer” doesn’t tell.

“Gomeo Bobelu” directed by Jaima Chevalier — World Premiere

Gomeo’s life story as a renowned artist battling adversity and discrimination at every turn is curated against the grand backdrop of New Mexico history, painting a portrait of resilience and artistic integrity that lights a path forward on the Missing & Murdered Indigenous People’s Crisis.

“Little Brother” directed by Sheridan O’Donnell, presented by New Mexico True

After his most recent suicide attempt, Pete reluctantly travels back home with his younger brother Jake. As they drive across the American West, the two attempt to reconcile past traumas and forge a new bond.

“The Pueblo Opera Program: And What Could Be Next” directed by Beverly R. Singer

The film chronicles the 50-year history between the Santa Fe Opera and Pueblo and Tribal Communities of New Mexico, examining how this innovative programming has inspired Pueblo and Tribal youth to engage with opera, including attending Youth Nights at the Opera and performing at the Santa Fe Opera.

“Helen’s Dead” directed by Asher Levin — World Premiere

Upon discovering her boyfriend, Adam (Emile Hirsch), is sleeping with her cousin, Helen, Addie shows up at a dinner party to confront Adam and Helen, only to discover Helen is dead and everyone is a suspect. From “canceled” lifestyle influencer Leila to an ex-con named Henry (Tyrese Gibson), Addie must make it through an absurdly shocking level of millennial apathy.

“It’s Only Life After All” directed by Alexandria Bombach

With 40 years of making music as the iconic folk-rock band Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have made their mark as musicians, songwriters, and dedicated activists. They have represented radical self-acceptance to many – still, Amy and Emily battled misogyny, homophobia, and a harsh cultural climate chastising them for not fitting into a female pop star mold.

“Frybread Face and Me” directed by Billy Luther

Benny is a Native American boy growing up in San Diego. Everything Benny thinks he knows about himself and his family is turned upside down when his parents send him to his Grandma Lorraine’s sheep ranch in Arizona. There he meets his cousin Dawn — AKA Frybread Face, a pudgy 11-year-old vagabond, tough-as-nails tomboy. Benny has never met anyone like her, and he is equally intimidated and impressed by her knowledge of Navajo language and tradition.

New Mexico Shorts 1

“Ruby’s Guide to Being Okay” directed by Daniel Pattison.

“Frybread Jesus” directed by Erik Sanchez.

“The Other V Word” directed by Kristin Goodman.

“Liz” directed by Alec Brown.

“Dear Judith” directed by Mykel Salazar.

“Border Lord” directed by Andrew Pollack.

New Mexico Shorts 2

“Belly Encounters” directed by Amber LeRae Earls.

“That’s Enough Now Thanks” directed by Aquila Chase-Daniel.

“River Bank (Pō-Kehgeh)” directed by Charine Pilar Gonzales.

“You’re My Best Friend” directed by Jazmin Vasquez.

“Meow Loses A Button” directed by Melissa Henry.

“Night Car” directed by Forrest Goodluck.

New Mexico Documentary Shorts

“Carlos’s World(s)” directed by Michael Walker Barnard.

“Community in Conflict: The Santa Fe Internment Camp Marker” directed by Claudia Katayanagi.

“Kenneth Johnson: Speaking Through Metal” directed by Kaela Waldstein.