NMFO News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) announces a short film, ‘Belly Encounters’ produced by Librada Pictures LLC., has completed production on the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico.
“We are excited that the production team of Belly Encounters has chosen to capture the beautiful landscape and locations that the Zuni Pueblo offers. From the director and talent to the production assistant, the cast and crew of this production is stacked with New Mexicans with prior experience in major productions recently shot in our state, so we could not be happier about that,” NMFO Director Amber Dodson said.
Belly Encounters is a comedic story of a pregnant woman trying to keep her cool while she deals with rude, invasive comments about her pregnant body and unborn child.
The production employed approximately 15 New Mexico crew members, 12 New Mexico principal actors and five New Mexico background talent.
Belly Encounters is directed and produced by Amber LeRae Earls (A Bitter Reckoning, I Know a Place, Peepshow, Up, Up, and I, I Am That) and written and executive produced by Crystal Thomas.
New Mexico cast members include Crystal Thomas (Better Call Saul, Night Shift, Longmire), Stephen Hardin (Night Shift, Transcendence), Ariana Eve Spencer (I Know a Place, IRIS), Allie Sundstrom (Better Call Saul, Bare), Merritt Glover (Get Shorty, Messiah, Breaking Bad), Celine Lopez (Los Lobos, Santa Fake), Ryan Begay (Breaking Bad, Sicario 2, From Dusk Til Dawn), Phil Duran (Breaking Bad, Roswell, The Wave), Chris Bylsma (El Camino, The Kid, News of the World), Jamie Jung (Them, Monday, Roswell), Audrey Walters (Better Call Saul, Walk Ride Rodeo, Big Kill), Adam Harrison, and Paul Lucero. Amber LeRae Earls and Crystal Thomas are alumni of UNM’s Theatre and Dance Department.
“I’m excited to be able to produce and direct this film alongside my family, friends, and colleagues. We want to thank Zuni Pueblo for allowing us to film in their beautiful community,” Earls said.
For more information on the production, contact: bellyencountersfilm@gmail.com
All film and television productions in New Mexico are required to adhere to the state’s operative emergency public health order, associated public health restrictions and COVID Safe Practices.
The New Mexico Film Office has released Back2One, a catchall set of principles, general recommendations, and resources for film and television productions operating during COVID-19. Back2One recommendations and other COVID Safe Practices can be found at nmfilm.com
