The 2026 Las Cruces International Film Festival brought on the crowds April 8-12 at the Allen Theaters and other venues around the city. It was year 11 for this student-run event that featured 170 films from independent film makers.
The big winners:
Best New Mexico Film: In The Absence Of Love; Vanessa Dabovich & Zeta Shearill
Best International Film: EBB & Flow; Nay Tabbara
Best Local Short: The Way We Carry Water; Makaio Marcos Frazier
Best Music Video: Sleeves; Liz Liano, Alex Antholzner, Josiah Colbert, Lauren Flores
Best Student Film: Woman At The Well; Jacob Thomas McCaw
Best Animated Short: The Bell Boy; Sabrina Eliana Teran
Best Documentary Short: Moving Arts Setting Hearts Ablaze; Zac Cornfield
Best Narrative Short: Whiteface; Julian Alexander
Best LGBTQ+ Short: Not Exactly Strangers; Ryan Rox
Best Cinematography: Donostia; Daniel Cummings
Best Screenplay: The Quiet Man; Juan Gonzalez
Best Documentary Feature: American Hate; Harry M Gantz, Arjun Sethi
Best Director: A Reflection Of You; Enrico Natale
Audience Choice: The Way We Carry Water; Makaio Marcos Frazier
Best Narrative Feature: Lepes; Rayell Abad Guangorena
Grand Jury Winner: American Hate; Harry M Gantz, Arjun Sethi
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Bruce Davison
48 Hour Film Contest:
Jury Prize: Trial 12; Team Desert Lens Films
Audience Choice: Heated Chivalry; Team Dessert Grain Films
Second Place: Looking for Something; Team 48 Hours Later
