By Connor Currier
Madrid is preparing to once again become the heart of New Mexico’s independent film scene.
From Aug. 22 to 24, the Engine House Theater will host the seventh annual Madrid Film Festival, a showcase of local short films and a symbol of the state’s growing creative and technical film talent.
Started in 2018 as a grassroots effort to support homegrown filmmakers, the Madrid Film Festival has evolved into a celebration of storytelling, skill and community pride. At its core are three producers who bring the festival to life: Andrew Wice, Monica Gannon and Timothy Willis.
Network for New Mexico Talent
The Madrid Film Festival is open to filmmakers from across New Mexico, regardless of experience level. From middle school students to full-time professionals, creators submit short films under 15 minutes, all hoping to be selected for the festival’s carefully curated lineup.
“In our eighth year, I think people locally are really taking to it. We’ve had a great turnout of local films,” said Wice. “It might be the strongest year for locally made films.”
What sets this festival apart isn’t just its artistic ambition, it’s the no-cost submission policy, a bold statement of accessibility in an industry often gated by fees and red tape.
“We want to encourage experimentation and creativity, this festival is about lowering the risk for filmmakers and raising the rewards,” Wice said.
That philosophy is backed by cash prizes $500 each for Best Local Film (from within 15 miles of Madrid) and the overall Grand Prize and, new this year, a student filmmaker award aimed at middle and high school creators. These films will be competing for a variety of honors, including the $500 grand prize Le Palme d’Coal, sponsored by the Mine Shaft Tavern, and the $500 “Oscar” Huber Award for best Madrid-made film, sponsored by Beer Creek Brewing Company.
Growth, Technical, Creative and Economic
Beyond the screenings, the Madrid Film Festival plays a growing role in New Mexico’s booming film industry. Davis pointed to the nearby Netflix studio as a key driver of regional talent development.
It’s a ripple effect that’s being felt across the state. Thanks to increased opportunities in set work, writing, and post-production, many festival participants now work full-time in the film industry and use the festival as a space to test bold, personal ideas.
“I think people have been impressed that Madrid has a reputation as being certainly creative, but also a little bit loosey goosey, and maybe not as buttoned down. We’re actually running this to a pretty high standard and taking it seriously,” said Wice on the community feedback they have received. “ It’s been nice to hear people being impressed with everything from the quality of the merch to the quality of programming. But really, the main thing that we’re hearing is people were impressed with the quality.”
The event’s economic impact is also growing. Visitors flock to Madrid each August, supporting local businesses and reinforcing the town’s identity as a creative hub. Backing from the Santa Fe Film Office, Beer Creek Brewing Company, the Mine Shaft Tavern and the Kind World Foundation has helped the festival expand its reach. A tourism grant from the New Mexico Tourism Department, set to kick in for FY2026, will further boost its visibility and draw.
Community’s Statewide Significance
The festival’s venue, the historic Engine House Theater, becomes a beacon of local pride during the three-day event. For attendees, it’s a chance to see the world through the eyes of their neighbors and for filmmakers, a rare opportunity to screen work in a professional setting without the usual financial or logistical hurdles.
“We’ve created something that’s both artistically meaningful and economically beneficial,” said Wice. “It’s a celebration of everything that makes New Mexico’s film community special: creativity, grit, and a deep connection to place.”
What to Know
- Event Dates: August 22–24
- Location: Engine House Theater, Madrid, NM
- Tickets: On sale Aug. 8 at madridfilmfest.org
- Submissions: Open to all New Mexico filmmakers; free to enter
- Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.
- Prizes: $500 each for Grand Prize and Best Local Film; new Student Filmmaker Award
- Regular tickets cost $25 and are available for purchase at the official website: https://madridfilmfest.org/.
“We just got a tourism grant from the New Mexico True Tourism Department, now that will be for next year, but that’s going to enable us to advertise the fact that we are accepting films that will be again for next year,” Wice said. “We have to spread the word to make sure that every filmmaker in New Mexico knows that there is a place to send their short films, a low-risk and high-reward festival.”