STATE News:SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that New Mexico’s film industry injected nearly $390 million into the economy last fiscal year.
This is the second straight record-breaking year for the film industry in New Mexico, shattering last year’s record by almost $100 million.
“We take great pride in all we have to offer film and television production here in New Mexico – from our talented and diverse workforce and our breathtaking scenery, to our robust film incentive program,” Martinez said. “This is encouraging news, and underscores what a valuable partner this industry is in growing and diversifying our economy.”
Film and television production put $387 million into New Mexico’s economy last year, according to data from the New Mexico Film Office. 63 major productions were in principal photography in New Mexico during FY16. The data shows that the industry continues to support more jobs, with nearly 260,000 worker days in FY16.
The state also had 30 productions budgeted over $1 million each last fiscal year, and several of these included local New Mexico filmmakers. Studio features also continue to choose New Mexico to make their big budget and mid-range films.
In FY16 alone, TV series and pilots produced in New Mexico included: Better Call Saul and Preacher (AMC), From Dusk Til Dawn (El Rey/Netflix), The Night Shift and Midnight, Texas (NBC), Longmire (Netflix), Manhattan (WGN), Untitled Mars Project (CW), Graves (EPIX), and others.
In 2013, Martinez strengthened New Mexico’s film incentive program through signing a bipartisan job creation and tax reform package designed to diversify the economy and make the state more competitive. Among other things, this legislation increased the incentive rate for qualifying productions.
“This is a tremendous achievement that all New Mexicans can be very proud of,” said New Mexico State Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. “While we’re continuing to grow New Mexico as a leader in the television and film industry, we won’t rest on our laurels. We’ll continue to build on this success and find innovative ways to put more New Mexicans to work.”
The New Mexico State Film Office, a division of the Economic Development Department, serves the film industry locally, nationally, and internationally and assists productions through the state’s robust incentive program to help create more jobs for New Mexicans. For more information, visit www.nmfilm.com.
