INAUGURAL EVENT TO HONOR DANNY TREJO

 

Film buffs have a new event and a new city to add to their calendars with the advent of the Las Cruces International Film Festival,  which makes its debut March 2-6, 2016. Focusing on top independent movies, LCIFF will screen over 100 films, including features, documentaries, narrative shorts and student shorts in picturesque Las Cruces, New Mexico. The public can take part in numerous workshops led by industry luminaries. The festival will also honor renowned actor Danny Trejo, star of the “Machete” trilogy, with its Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment award.

Workshops scheduled for the inaugural festival include a comedy workshop presented by two time Emmy Award winner Robert Wuhl (ARLI$$), a screenwriting workshop with the writer of “Machete,” Al Rodriguez, Academy-Award nominee Mark Medoff, and Bill True: and a series of comprehensive film training seminars called Tune Up Las Cruces. The film festival will take place at the Allen Theaters Cineport 10 and various venues on the New Mexico State University Campus. VIP pass holders will enjoy access to several private after parties and opportunities to mingle with celebrities and filmmakers attending the festival.

To encourage community involvement, the festival is sponsoring a television pilot contest, the Pilot Project, created by Shoot Las Cruces. Contestants may submit trailers or teasers of TV series ideas to be shown at the festival, where the audience will vote on its favorite. The winner will receive $35,000 in goods, services and funding and a first-look deal with Lionsgate Studios..

Festival ticket prices are: $8/ticket for individual screenings, $25/ticket for students all film pass, $75 for an all-access pass including all screenings, workshops and events (except VIP parties), and $150 for a VIP pass, which includes all screenings, events, workshops and VIP-only after parties. For tickets, hotel packages and more information, visit www.lciffest.com.

Schedule of Events*

  • Wednesday, March 2, 2016 (OPENING NIGHT) 7:30 – 11pm
    • 7:30 p.m. – Opening Night Film  “The Night is Young” Allen Theatres Cineport 10
    • 9 – 11 p.m. VIP Red Carpet Event with celebrities at La Posta de Mesilla
  • Thursday, March 3, 2016 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Daily Activities
      • 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Film Screenings at Allen Theatres Cineport 10
      • 4 – 6 p.m. – “Doing Business with Show Business” – Do you have a business and want to support the film industry right here in beautiful Las Cruces?  This workshop is for local businesses interested in working with the film industry.  Deciders and buyers from the movie biz will give useful advice (the kind you can’t get from websites) of how to interact with us if you want to increase your business or just do it better.   T/B/D
      • 7 p.m. Film Screening of “Machete” Danny Trejo
      • 7:30 p.m. Film Screening of “Machete” Danny Trejo
    • 9  – 11 p.m. VIP Danny Trejo Reception at Hotel Encanto
  • Friday, March 4, 2016 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Daily Activities
      • 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Film Screenings at Allen Theatres Cineport 10
      • 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. “Screenwriter’s Workshop” Learn screenwriting fundamentals from experienced writers Mark Medoff, Bill True, Alvaro Rodriguez, and Bill True at Allen Theatres Cineport 10
      • 12:30- 4 p.m. – “Filmmaker Location Scout” – Filmmakers tour of Las Cruces locations.
      • 4 - 5:30 p.m.  “Filmmakers Panel” Q&A on Independent filmmaking. Allen Theatres Cineport 10
    • 9  – 11:00 p.m. VIP Filmmaker’s Social honoring Machete Screenwriter Alvaro

                                   Rodriguez

  • Saturday, March 5, 2016 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Daily Activities
      • 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Film Screenings at Allen Theatres Cineport 10
      • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Make-up and Special Effects Workshop, CMI Theatre
      • 1 – 3 p.m.– “Casting Workshop” Interested in being in films?  Bring your headshot or have one taken at the Mark and Stephanie Medoff Theatre.
      • 2 – 4 p.m. “Car Casting” Have a car you’d like to see in movies?  Get a picture of your car for the Film New Mexico database for the possibility.  Allen Theatres Cineport 10
      • 3 – 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.   Comedy Workshop presented by two time Emmy award winner Robert Wuhl, Mark and Stephanie Medoff Theatre
    • 6 – 7:30 p.m. TV Pilot  Teaser Screenings at the Rio Grande Theatre
    • 7:30 – 9: p.m. Awards Ceremony at the Rio Grande Theatre
    • 9– 11:00 p.m. After Awards Party at Main Street Bistro & Ale House
  • Sunday, March 6, 2016  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Film Winners Screenings, Allen Theatre Cineport 10

*  Schedule is subject to modification as necessary

Actor Danny Trejo will receive the “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment” award at the Las Cruces International Film Festival in March 2016.