This Thursday, March 1 is the early bird deadline for the 10th annual Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. If you’ve got a film you’d like to get screened there, this is your big chance. Early Bird Deadline fees are $30 for short films and $35 for feature films. Festival organizers are looking for films in the following categories: Animated, Documentary, Experimental, International, Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Indigenous, New Mexican and Student Film. Films can be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway, Withoutabox or Reelport. You can also mail a DVD copy with the completed submission form and entry fee. For more details and a copy of the submission form, go to santafeindependentfilmfestival.com/Info/Submit_a_Film. If you can’t make the Thursday deadline, you’ve still got the regular deadline (May 1), the late deadline (June 4) and the final deadline (Aug. 1). Submission fees rise accordingly for each one. This year’s SFIFF takes place Oct. 17 through 21.
Reel World: Hey, Joe! Hey, Joe!
The Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe welcomes cult crime/horror author Joe. R. Lansdale to town this Thursday, March 1. A sneak preview of the season 3 pilot episode of Sundance TV’s quirky crime series “Hap and Leonard” (based on the novels by Lansdale) screens at the theater starting at 7:30pm. After the premiere Lansdale will participate in a Q&A with theater owner (and author in his own right) George R.R. Martin. Admission to this event is free, but you need to pick up tickets at the box office in advance. Your can do so one hour before showtime at (418 Montezuma Ave.). For more info go to jeancocteaucinema.com.
Reel World: Cinema De Las Cruces Cinema De Las Cruces
The Las Cruces International Film Festival returns Wednesday, March 7 through Sunday, March 11 to the Allen Theaters Cineport 10 in Las Cruces. It’s a bit of a drive down I-25, but this year’s lineup looks particularly roadtrip-worthy. Presented by New Mexico State University and Visit Las Cruces, the LCIFF shows off dozens of features, documentaries and short films over the course of its five-day run. Special guests this year are an impressive lineup. Scheduled to appear are blaxploitation queen Pam Grier (The Big Bird Cage, Scream Blacula Scream, Coffy, Jackie Brown), TV star RJ Mitte (“Breaking Bad,” “Switched at Birth”), famed animator Ralph Bakshi (Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, Wizards) and featured Lord of the Rings trilogy hobbit Billy Boyd. This year’s Outstanding Achievement Entertainer Award goes to guest of honor Cybill Shepherd (The Last Picture Show, “Moonlighting”). Individual tickets (Jackie Brown with Pam Grier, American Pop with Ralph Bakshi) are $10 each. One-day film passes are $20. All-access film/workshop passes are $25 for students and $75 general admission. For a complete list of guests, films and events (or to purchase tickets/passes in advance) go to lascrucesfilmfest.com.
