The Albuquerque Film & Music Experience kicks into full gear this weekend with a tempting selection of features, documentaries and shorts scheduled through Sunday, June 10. Among the local highlights is a screening of Ol’ Max Evans—The First Thousand Years. Based on the biography of the same name by Slim Randles, this documentary examines the life and work of noted New Mexico author Max Evans (The Rounders, The Hi-Lo Country). From his childhood in West Texas to D-Day in World War II to his wild days in Hollywood, the film charts Evans’ many lives—up to and including his settling in the Duke City in the late ’60s. Actor Peter Coyote narrates the film, while Sam Elliott gives voice to Evans’ grizzled prose. Longtime Santa Fe journalist Lorene Mills and Ken Burns collaborator Paul Barnes are producers on the film. New Mexico-based editor David Leach (“Lonesome Dove: The Series”) serves as editor. Ol’ Max Evans screens Thursday, June 7 at 5pm at the KiMo Theatre (423 Central Ave. NW). Unfortunately, Mr. Evans himself is currently ill and unable to attend the screening. Other members of the cast and crew will be there, however. Tickets are $7. For more info on that, check out maxevansmovie.com.Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for AFME. There’s also a Native American short film block (Guild Cinema, 2pm on Thursday), a kids’ acting camp (Hotel Andaluz, Friday at 9am) and a screening of the illuminating farming documentary SEED: The Untold Story presented by actor/producer Marisa Tomei (Hiland Theater, 7:30pm on Friday). You can catch an Official After Party Tribute to Prince featuring former band members of Shalimar, The Revolution and The Heartbreakers (Hotel Andaluz, 9:30pm on Friday). Plus, there’s that 20th anniversary screening of There’s Something About Mary (Hiland Theater 4:30pm on Saturday) to look forward to. For a complete list of films and events, go to abqfilmx.com.
Reel World: Shootout In Gallup Shootout In Gallup
The Gallup Film Foundation presents its very first “66 Hour Digital Shootout.” Filmmaking teams from all over the state will descend on Gallup this coming weekend. Each will be given a genre, a line of dialogue and a prop to incorporate into their film. Teams will have from June 8 through 11 to write, shoot and edit their films (up to 10 minutes in length). All the resulting shorts will premiere at the historic El Morro Theatre (207 W. Coal Ave.) in Gallup on June 17. Interested filmmakers looking for more info (or wanting to download entry forms) should go to gallupfilm.org.
