How Do I Love Thee, New Mexico?

So, I've lived in New Mexico my whole life and I love it here. We have almost everything. We have beautiful mountains (e.g. the Sandia-Manzanos, the Organs, the Rockies, the Sangre de Cristos, the Jemez, the Sierra Blanca, and many many more), Wheeler Peak and Sandia Peak, beautiful deserts, deserts IN the mountains, rivers, lakes, skiing (both snow and water), great fishing and camping, the White Sands National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, authentic Indian pueblos, the second oldest city in the nation (Santa Fe), the longest tramway in the world, we are part of the Four Corners, we have the aliens in Roswell, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Historic Route 66, we even have a culture pass that lets you see a lot of the really cool museums and state monuments we have. Not to mention the amazing wildlife here in New Mexico, such as hummingbirds, road runners, and black bears to name a few. You can even see bald eagles here. I'm not even going to get into the great shopping and eating you can do here (Hello? Hatch green chile, anyone?). We have absolutely gorgeous weather most of the year in most of the state, the most beautiful sunset you will ever see in your life, and there's always something to do.

Why am I writing about all this? Because THIS is exactly what the White Sands International Film Festival is here to celebrate; New Mexican heritage, culture, tourism, and filmmaking. And if you live here, or have just visited, and you love it as much as I do, there are ways to get involved and contribute to this wonderful festival and this beautiful state! If you're a filmmaker, especially if your films focus on Latin heritage or New Mexico or are filmed in New Mexico, you can submit your film (you can submit it even if it doesn't focus on these topics or wasn't filmed here, but if your film was at least partly made in New Mexico, your entry fee will be waived).

Not a filmmaker but still love New Mexico and/or filmmaking and want to be involved? You can support the WSIFF! We are a non-profit organization funded by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations, and that could be you! You can sponsor us in three ways: becoming a sponsor, donating stocks or bonds, and/or teaching at the festival. By supporting us financially, you will be helping to ensure that the WSIFF can continue on in its quest to bring big quality entertainment, nationally important industry, and intensified arts education to New Mexico, and particularly the southern region.

Want to get involved but can't exactly contribute financially? No problem! You can always volunteer! It takes a lot of people to make a film festival happen, and a lot of hard work! There are tons of benefits to volunteering with us, and just some of those are:

• Free passes to films and panel discussions
• Short and flexible shifts
• Invitations to festival private parties and events
• Learning about film
• Meeting new people
• Having fun!

How can you pass this opportunity up?

So check out the state, check out the film festival (which is being held April 15-18, 2010), and get involved!