Albuquerque, NM – October 16, 2019 –The seventh annual Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (AFMX) featured an all-star lineup of live musical performances, top-of-the-line films, workshops and events, as well as star-studded appearances by legendary composer and jazz artist Dave Grusin, guitarist/producer Neil Giraldo, Eric Clapton bassist Nathan East, and Warrant lead singer Robert Mason. The weeklong festival brought together aspiring filmmakers and musicians, students, film lovers, and more for a one-of-kind entertainment experience. 

"As our festival continues to grow, we are gaining the attention and participation of some of the biggest names in film, music and entertainment,” said Ivan Wiener, AFMX Executive Director. “There is no other event in New Mexico that brings A-list names to work with local filmmakers and perform with local musicians like we do. We take great pride in connecting the many dots, and providing a platform for future collaboration.”

With an impressive list of honorees since AFMX’s inception in 2013, this year’s award recipients become part of an elite group of filmmakers, musicians, and artists.

2019 Award winners include:

AFMX 2019 Music Award

Neil Giraldo; presented by Robert Mason of WARRANT

Robert & Sibylle Redford Award for Creative Achievement

Dave Grusin; presented by Jeff Bridges, Michael Keaton and Nathan East

Dennis Hopper “Easy Rider” Award

Satya de la Manitou

Social Impact Award

Emily Skyle-Golden - 10 Syllables

Best Actress

Katherine Fogler - Dancing Dogs of Dombrova

Best Actor

Dragos Bucur - Hawaii

Best Director

Brett Bentman - 90 Feet from Home

Best Student Film

Moth by Shu Zhu

1st Runner Up - A Glimpse of Happiness by Stefan Sauer

2nd Runner Up - Live To Remain by Bartek Sozanski

Best Music Video

Malach-zmiany sa dobre by Błażej Jankowiak

1st Runner Up - Contemporary Woody Guthrie by Joel Umbaugh

2nd Runner Up - Imagination by Roth Rind

Best Short Documentary

R.A.W. Tuba by Darren Durlach

1st Runner Up - Three Chords & the Truth by Virginia Heath

2nd Runner Up - Butchers Kill Lambs by Paul O'Brien

Best Narrative Short

Eli by Colin Gerrard

1st Runner Up - Burqa City by Fabrice Bracq

2nd Runner Up – Evie by Mike Peebler   

Best Documentary

Sex, Drugs and Bicycle by Jonathan Blank

1st Runner Up - Free Trip to Egypt by Ingrid Serban

2nd Runner Up - Fading Portraits by Farhad Mohammadi

Best Narrative Feature

Hawaii by Jesús del Cerro

1st Runner Up - Dancing Dogs of Dombrova by Zach Bernbaum

2nd Runner Up - 90 Feet from Home by Brett Bentman

Best New Mexico Films

Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time by Barbara Bentree & John Rangel Caffeine & Gasoline: Evolution of the American Rocker by Steve Maes The Dust Monologues by Andy Kastelic Color Me Done by Dominic Garcia

AFMX Staff Appreciation Award

Danette Lovato

In addition to a successful 2019 festival, AFMX is excited to announce classic Halloween movies showing on the 5-story screen at the DynaTheater inside the NM Natural History Museum. Don’t miss Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho on Saturday, October 26 at 7pm, and Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining on Saturday, November 2 at 7pm. For more information or tickets, visit www.abqfilmx.com.For photos of AFMX 2019, visit https://www.abqfilmx.com/photos.

About AFMX: With the mission of enhancing cultural richness by integrating film and music programs that provide entertainment and education for the community, contributing to the creative economy and supporting Albuquerque as an epicenter for film, music and the arts, AFMX brings together award-winning and up-and-coming filmmakers and musicians from around the world to showcase and celebrate film and music, and provide a platform for education, collaboration, discovery and the sharing of impactful stories.

About AFME Foundation: The AFME Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, supports the nurturing, success and growth of a vibrant creative community, specifically through film, music and the arts, and seeks to help further a world-class economic center of excellence for these industries in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It produces the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (AFMX), an annual film and music festival, attracts prominent attendees, filmmakers, musicians and visionaries from around the globe to celebrate the art of storytelling and collaborate into the future.  The Foundation also supports the Albuquerque film, music and art scenes through creation, facilitation and support of complimentary, mission-based projects and programs. Our purpose is to provide opportunities for future generations, while increasing exposure and economic impact for the City of Albuquerque, the State of New Mexico and our partners.