Artful Life, a creative project aimed at transforming communities through the co-creation of visual, written, photographic, performance and cinematic art, is presenting the Migration Experience. This four-week film and discussion series will focus on the “lived experience” of immigrants and refugees. It all kicks off this Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6:30pm with the film Well-Founded Fear. This documentary examination takes a look at the inner-workings of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Future screenings include The Journey (Nov. 3), The Harvest/La Cosecha (Nov. 9) and The Wind of Al-Amal (Nov. 16). All screenings will take place at the African American Performing Arts Center at Expo New Mexico (310 San Pedro NE). This community film/discussion series is free and open to the public. For more info go to artful-life.org/migration-film-series.
Reel World: 48 Hour Fear 48 Hour Fear
The 48 Hour Film Project returns to Albuquerque with its 48 Hour Horror Project. This two-day challenge invited teams of local filmmakers to write, direct and edit a short, scary film in just 48 hours. Nearly 25 teams raced around Albuquerque last weekend trying to wrap up their mini-masterpieces before the clock ran out. The resulting short shockers will be screened at the KiMo Theatre (423 Central NW) on Thursday, Oct. 20. Block A will show starting at 5:30pm. Block B will get underway at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 per block. Winners of the competition will be announced starting at 9:30pm. After that, it’s over to Duel Brewing (606 Central SW) for the wrap party. For more details go to 48hourfilm.com/albuquerque-nm/horror.
Reel World: High Times High Times
Fans of movies and the great outdoors will want to hike on over the the KiMo Theatre (423 Central NW) for the Reel Rock 11 Fall Tour. From 7 to 9pm on Friday, Oct. 21, you can catch five new short documentaries from around the world, all delivering audiences the edge-of-your-seat action and globe-trotting exploration inherent in the sport of high-altitude rock climbing. Tickets are $10 and available now through kimotickets.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council.
Reel World: Produce Results Produce Results
On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 and 23, the New Mexico Film Foundation and New Mexico Women in Film will present Be Your Own Hollywood. This two-day intensive workshop with producer Joel Reisig is aimed at teaching independent filmmakers how to secure financing and distribution. Reisig has more than 20 films to his credits, including Horse Camp, A Dog for Christmas and Arlo: The Burping Pig. Saturday’s session runs from 10am to 6pm. Sunday is 8am to 3pm. Cost for the workshop is $120 per student or $100 for NMWIF members. For more details go to nmwif.com/nmwif-events/.
Reel World: Independent’s Day Independent’s Day
The ninth annual Santa Fe Independent Film Festival continues from Wednesday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 23, with scores of features, documentaries, shorts, parties and panel discussions to choose from. Alongside national and international offerings are a few local standouts such as Paul Ratner’s fringe science documentary The Caveman of Atomic City (Thursday, Oct. 20, 7pm and Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1pm) and Scotty Milder’s bleak, black psychodrama Dead Billy (Thursday, Oct. 20, at 9pm and Friday, Oct. 21, at 7:15pm). Festival honoree Jay Roach will also be there to screen his films Trumbo (Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:45pm) and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Saturday, Oct. 22, 5:30pm). Screenings will take place at a wide variety of venues throughout Santa Fe. For a complete schedule of films and ticket prices, go to santafeindependentfilmfestival.com.
