The 11th annual Las Cruces International Film Festival kicks off five days of films, workshops, celebrities and VIP events with “She Dances,” the opening night film on April 8 that goes to the heart of the father-daughter experience, starting Steve Zahn and his daughter Audrey.
“This film speaks to the universal themes of hope and resilience, making it the perfect choice to launch our celebration of independent cinema,” said festival executive director and professor in New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute. “We believe that ‘She Dances’ will resonate strongly with audiences.”
With a screenplay written by Zahn and director Rick Gomez, "She Dances" is an exploration of love, loss and the transformative power of dance. Zahn takes on the role of Jason, a struggling dance instructor seeking redemption and re-connection with his daughter during her final regional dance competition. The film also features Ethan Hawke Mackenzie Ziegler, Sonequa Martin-Green and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Watch the trailer for “She Dances.”
The film begins at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10. Tickets for the celebrity screening of the film are $35.
The festival, which runs from April 8 through April 12, will screen 160 films this year, including narrative and documentary features, short films, animation and music videos from different countries. Screenings will take place at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10, 700 S. Telshor Blvd. VIP passes include access to all screenings, workshops, panels and special events for $200, All-Access Passes for all films and workshops are $100, Day Passes are $35 and admission to celebrity screenings is $35. Tickets are available now at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.
Discounted VIP passes will be on sale for $150 at the upcoming LCIFF Poster Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, where this year’s collectible festival poster designed by artist Asiah Thomas-Mandlman will be revealed. Tickets for the poster party are available for $30 at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.
When Marks founded the festival 11 years ago, he began teaching a class for NMSU students on how to produce a film festival. Since then, every year between 80 and 100 students gain valuable experience working with him to produce the LCIFF. The event has drawn crowds of more than 12,000 attendees and more than 80,000 visitors to the region. It has become the largest student-run film festival in the country.,
For further information, press credentials and ticket inquiries, contact Kyle Ivy at 575- 642-5323, kyleivy@nmsu.edu.
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CUTLINE: The opening night film for the 2026 Las Cruces International Film Festival is “She Dances,” starring Steve Zahn. The screening is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday April 8, at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10. (Courtesy image)
CUTLINE: Actor Steve Zahn stars in “She Dances,” the April 8 opening night film of the Las Cruces International Film Festival. (Courtesy photo)