Written by Tom Deehan on Nov 23, 2015. Posted in Incentive News

Mayor of Santa Fe to push for new film commission

The mayor of Santa Fe, Javier Gonzales has expressed his interest in developing a film commission for the capital of New Mexico in a bid to draw the attention of high budget productions. According to Gonzales it would take an estimated USD50,000 to establish a new film commission.

Gonzales explained: “the commission is going to be responsible for setting a broad economic plan and film policy for the city of Santa Fe... we have to focus not just on reducing costs, but investing in areas that will grow our economy”

The proposed film commission will lobby to rid the state legislature of a cap which currently limits the incentive to USD50 million. Alongside this, the commission will aim to establish a second film office within the state as the only one currently in operation is in Albuquerque.

New Mexico has proven itself to be a desired filming location as the upcoming film Fun House starring Tina Fey was recently filmed on location in Santa Fe, and now Adam Sandler has begun filming his upcoming comedy The Ridiculous Six in the state capital.

Albuquerque’s reputation as a prime filming location has boomed in the last few years due to the success of AMC’s Breaking Bad and its prequel series Better Call Saul. The success of Breaking Bad in particular has increased the level of tourism headed to Albuquerque as fans of the show have travelled to the city in search of the locations featured on the show.

Governor Susanna Martinez recently announced that in 2014, the film industry’s contribution to the state was at an all time high, nearly USD290 million.