“Santa’s Cousin,” a feature-length film created with participation of students from the New Mexico State University's Creative Media Institute (CMI) and directed by award-winning film professor Ross Marks, will debut in Santa Fe at 2 p.m on Friday, Jan. 31 in the Violet Crown Theater, 1606 Alcaldesa St. Tickets are available at NMSU Days in Santa Fe Movie Screening – Santa's Cousin.
The special screening is part of NMSU Days in Santa Fe, an event hosted by the NMSU Foundation to promote the university and the Las Cruces community. Released on Dec. 4, 2024, the film stars Eric Roberts, Johnathan Stoddard, and Alexandra Harris. Filmed in Las Cruces and southern New Mexico, ”Santa’s Cousin” is a heartwarming story following Santa’s reluctant cousin, Colton, as he works to save a Christmas Jubilee for the picturesque town of Ruidoso and finds love along the way.
“Santa’s Cousin” was made under an innovative agreement between NMSU and the film’s producers, allowing students to earn a full semester’s worth of credits while actively participating in all aspects of production. From pre-production to post-production, students worked in various roles alongside seasoned professionals, gaining valuable industry experience.
“This project represents the perfect marriage of education and professional filmmaking,” said Marks, the film's director and CMI professor. “Our students gained unparalleled hands-on experience working alongside industry professionals, which is rare at the undergraduate level. 'Santa’s Cousin' highlights not only their talents but also the unique culture, beauty and community of New Mexico.”
Marks plays a pivotal role in advancing the film industry in southern New Mexico. As deputy director of the New Mexico Media Arts Collective in Las Cruces, he leads initiatives to create a career ladder for students, connecting independent film productions with graduating CMI students. He also founded and directs the Las Cruces International Film Festival, the largest university-run film festival in the U.S. To date, the festival has attracted more than 80,000 visitors worldwide, engaged more than 700 student participants, and hosted nearly 1,500 filmmakers to advance the film industry throughout the state.
New Mexico State University is the only film school in the country where students earn course credit by creating professional feature films as part of their curriculum. Since the program’s inception, CMI students have completed five feature-length films, with several others currently in development.
“The Creative Media Institute is a cornerstone of innovation and opportunity, equipping students with the skills and experience to thrive in a competitive industry,” said Enrico Pontelli, dean of NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “We need to invest in cutting-edge technology, hands-on learning experiences and resources that will enable our students to tell stories that inspire and connect. Supporting CMI isn’t just an investment in education, it’s an investment in the future of storytelling, economic growth and the creative spirit of New Mexico.”
This event is open to the public but has limited seating. Before the screening, from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, Marks and “Santa’s Cousin” producer Keagan Karnes will host a discussion about the film and the Creative Media Institute’s expansion plans. For tickets and more information about the discussion and screening at Violet Crown Theater, visit NMSU Days in Santa Fe Movie Screening – Santa's Cousin.
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CUTLINE: “Santa's Cousin,” a film made under an innovative agreement between New Mexico State University and the film’s producers, will have its Santa Fe debut screening at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 in the Violet Crown Theater. The film, which is part of NMSU Days in Santa Fe, allowed NMSU students to earn a full semester’s worth of credits while actively participating alongside professionals in all aspects of production. (Poster image courtesy "Santa's Cousin")
CUTLINE: Director of “Santa’s Cousin” Ross Marks and professor at New Mexico State Unversity, received a Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts last fall for his efforts for his work in training future filmmakers at NMSU’s Creative Media Institute and running the popular Las Cruces International Film Festival. (Courtesy photo)
CUTLINE: NMSU CMI alumnus Keagan Karnes was a producer on “Santa’s Cousin,” a film released in December by Inspirado Films, with NMSU and Heartstrings Media. (Photo courtesy “Santa’s Cousin”)
About the Creative Media Institute
NMSU’s Creative Media Institute combines state-of-the-art technology with a hands-on curriculum to prepare students for careers in film, animation, and digital media. For more information, visit https://cmi.nmsu.edu/.
About the NMSU Foundation
Established in 1959, the Foundation is a privately governed, non-profit corporation. The mission of the NMSU Foundation is to foster long-term relationships with alumni, supporters, and community to secure, manage, steward, and protect a sustainable source of private resources that will enhance the ability of New Mexico State University to fulfill its land-grant mission.