The red carpet stretched across the entrance of Popejoy Hall as students, filmmakers and guests stepped inside, greeted by cheers, cameras and energy that felt bigger than a typical campus event. 

The 11th Annual Cherry Reel Film Festival, held April 17 at 6 p.m. at the University of New Mexico, wasn’t just a screening. It was a glimpse into a growing film scene that many say is positioning New Mexico as one of the most exciting places to create.

Inside the theater, the atmosphere reflected that momentum! Volunteers handed out free tote bags, T-shirts and stickers as attendees filled the seats, while student filmmakers gathered near the stage, buzzing with anticipation. The event celebrated student work, but it also highlighted something larger, the rapid rise of New Mexico’s film industry and the role young creators are beginning to play in shaping it.

At the start of the festival, Professor James Stone of University of New Mexico emphasized just how much the local industry has evolved.

“Albuquerque is the best place to live in the world as a filmmaker,” Stone said, referencing past national recognition of the city’s film scene. “Not Los Angeles, not New York.”

Stone pointed to the university’s Department of Film and Digital Arts as a key driver of that growth, describing it as one of the fastest-growing programs on campus. He also highlighted a major development still underway: a new collaborative filmmaking space that will include UNM’s first on-campus soundstage.

Located at Central Avenue and Girard Boulevard, the upcoming facility is expected to give students hands-on experience in professional-level production, further connecting education to the state’s booming industry.

“It’s a fantastic scene, and it’s going from strength to strength,” Stone said. “The New Mexico film scene is fantastic.”

That sense of opportunity is already resonating with students and attendees alike. Aiden Woodward, who attended the festival after being invited by a friend, said the films showcased the kind of creativity that makes the industry worth investing in.

“I loved the films truly,” Woodward said, referring to a student project by filmmaker Alex Fulpert. “I think the film industry is so important to keep up in New Mexico, especially for the students, because with everything going on in the world, we are looking for an escape.”

Woodward added that film offers something increasingly valuable, a balance between entertainment and meaning.

“Sometimes being entertained is what we need,” he said.

The Cherry Reel Film Festival serves as a platform for exactly that, giving students the opportunity to tell stories that resonate, while also preparing them for careers in an industry that continues to expand across the state.

New Mexico has become a major hub for film and television production in recent years, attracting large studios and high-profile projects. Events like Cherry Reel show that the foundation of that success is being built at the student level.

At UNM, that foundation is becoming more visible. From growing enrollment in film programs to new facilities designed for production, the university is positioning itself as a pipeline into the industry.

For many students, the festival represents more than just a screening. It’s a moment of recognition and a step toward something bigger.

As the lights dimmed and the first films began to play, the excitement inside Popejoy Hall made one thing clear, the future of filmmaking in New Mexico isn’t just happening in studios across the state. It’s already unfolding in classrooms, on campus stages and in the work of students ready to take part in it.