Las Cruces International Film Festival

Any narrative work of fiction with a running time of 60 minutes or more, including films that are shot in a "mockumentary" style. In order to qualify as a Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction. Narrative Feature Films that are to be broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) prior to February 26th, 2020 are eligible.

Any non-fiction film with a running time of 50 minutes or more. If your documentary contains some dramatization of actual events, you may submit to this category. Documentary Feature Films that are to be broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) prior to February 26, 2020 are eligible.

Any narrative fiction film with a running time of less than 30 minutes, including credits. Narrative Short Films may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

Any documentary film with a running time of less than 30 minutes, including credits. Documentary Shorts may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

Music Videos must have video content playing with music for the majority of the video. Must be under 10 minutes. Music Video category has no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility. Music Videos may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

The Animated category is for films that feature primarily animated content or stop-motion animation. Must be within 1 minute to 240 minutes in length. Animated Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility. Animated Films may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

Any narrative fiction or documentary film DIRECTED AND PRODUCED by students. Must be within 1 minute to 240 minutes in length. Student Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility. Student Films may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

Any narrative fiction or documentary film DIRECTED AND PRODUCED by students enrolled in an accredited high school (age 13 - age 18). Must be within 1 minute to 20 minutes in length. Student Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility. Student Films may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

We love our local filmmakers! Anything made in New Mexico, El Paso, or Juarez. Must be within 1 minute to 30 minutes in length. Local Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility. Local Films may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

We are hosting our first screenplay competition! Prompts will be emailed out on Friday, March 20 at 12:00 PM MST. Writers will have 1 week to complete their 10-20 page television pilots. Winner will be decided by industry screenwriters. 1st place screenplay will win a $500 cash prize and be given a stage reading at the 2021 Las Cruces International Film Festival.