Excitement is building for the 2023 Las Cruces International Film Festival as pre-festival events begin. Artist and New Mexico State University alumnus Rush Allen will reveal his vision for this year's LCIFF poster at a special party from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

The $25 admission includes a signed collectible poster, food, drinks and music. Tickets are available at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com . Allen will be at the party signing limited edition prints of the poster and his original artwork will be auctioned off at the party. Those who purchase a VIP pass at the poster party will receive a $50 discount on the regular price of $150.

A Las Cruces native, Allen graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He then went on to study in both France and Italy. Working across various mediums including oil paint and charcoal along with digital formats, Allen is inspired by the natural world and the light and landscape of New Mexico. His work has been shown throughout the U.S. and France.

“We are delighted to continue the tradition of LCIFF Commemorative Posters extraordinarily designed by local artists,” said Ross Marks, executive director of the festival and professor in NMSU's Creative Media Institute.

The LCIFF, presented by NMSU and Visit Las Cruces, will be in-person April 12-16 at the Allen Theatres Cineport. Events throughout the festival include hundreds of independent film screenings, feature-length and shorts through multiple genres, various panels, workshops and VIP after-parties as well as celebrity appearances.

Actor Giancarlo Esposito will be honored with the LCIFF’s “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment" award. Esposito will be on hand to receive the award after a film screening and question-and-answer session at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13 at the Allen Theatres Cineport during the LCIFF VIP Party. Earlier that afternoon, Esposito also will be speaking to students at NMSU about his career and accomplishments in the industry.

The festival serves not only to bring recognition to the region and international films but also provides hands-on training for NMSU students who work with Marks as part of a course he teaches in festival planning. Marks' students participate in planning and running the annual festival, which last year drew more than 10,000 people.

Tickets for Giancarlo Esposito’s film screening and Q & A session are $25. VIP passes are $150, $75 for an All-Access pass and $25 for a day-pass.

Tickets are available at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.