If you have a hair-raising short film that illuminates the lore and mystery of the Las Cruces area, get ready to submit your video to the second annual “Visit Las Cruces Stories” contest. The Las Cruces International Film Festival (LCIFF) in collaboration with Visit Las Cruces is now accepting submissions through Feb. 28, 2024.



This year’s theme is Las Cruces folklore. Well-known stories include La Llorona, and other spine-tingling tales such as the haunting of the Doña Ana County Courthouse, the Double Eagle murder and haunting, Pat Garrett’s mysterious death or the hermit of La Cueva. Participants may bring to light lesser-known narratives that define Las Cruces and its history.



“At the heart of every community are the storytellers who share the human experience and what their community represents,” said Ross Marks, LCIFF executive director and professor in New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute. “Las Cruces has many great storytellers. We are excited to give them this platform to tell their Las Cruces story using the world's most powerful and effective medium –film.”



Marks teaches a class for NMSU students on how to produce a film festival and students gain valuable experience working with him during the LCIFF every year.



The top three entries will receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third, along with LCIFF 2024 VIP tickets for all three. Winning submissions will be showcased before each screening during the 2024 Las Cruces International Film Festival April 3-7.



Films should concentrate on a single folklore story about Las Cruces and run between three and five minutes long, accompanied by a 30-second trailer. For comprehensive details on image and video formats, entry forms, submission guidelines and exhibition information, visit https://filmfreeway.com/VisitLasCrucesStoriesContest .



“This year’s Visit Las Cruces Stories contest highlights the unique tales and folklore that invoke our vibrant culture and community,” said Rochelle Miller-Hernandez, executive director of Visit Las Cruces. “We challenge filmmakers to use their creativity to bring these stories to life and entice visitors to include Las Cruces on their must-see bucket list.”
 
 

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/haunting-tales-wanted--second-annual-film-festival-video-contest-begins/s/944020fa-b73b-4c45-b1ff-4931c25ab57f