Future Voices of New Mexico

Through the film and photography project, Future Voices New Mexico, middle school and high school students from more than 26 schools state-wide learn how to direct, shoot and edit three-minute films or learn darkroom and photography skills.

About Future Voices of New Mexico

August 2012 kicked off the sixth year of Future Voices of New Mexico. Throughout the school year, students worked in and out of classrooms with professional filmmakers and photographers to develop three-minute films or shoot documentary and artistic still photographs. The 2011-2012 theme was “My New Mexico” in commemoration of the New Mexico State centennial.

The students chose a specific category for their work. The 2011-2012 film categories were: Comedy, Documentary, Language, Mixed Media and Narrative. After production, the films and photographs were submitted to a panel of professional film and photography judges. This year, a monthly contest was implemented, creating more opportunities for students to enter work for judging and the potential of cash prizes.

On April 3,  the theater filled with more than 600 excited students from more than 16 schools for the annual award ceremony. The first, second and third place films and photos in each category were screened for the audience of students and film and photo professionals. The category winners were presented with cash awards to the wild applause of their classmates.

Future Voices of New Mexico is made possible through a partnership involving The Lensic, National Geographic and Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.

(Below) Winning film from Tesuque Pueblo Film Group.
Photo credit: Kate Russell