Well-known comedian, film and television star George Lopez will receive the “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Award” during the 2019 annual Las Cruces International Film Festival, presented by New Mexico State University and Visit Las Cruces Feb. 20-24.
Lopez will receive the award at a VIP reception Thursday, Feb. 21 followed by a screening of his film “The Chicano” at 7 p.m. that evening at Allen Theatres Cineport 10. Lopez recently finished shooting the film “Walking With Herb” in Las Cruces with Edward James Olmos and Kathleen Quinlan. He is currently starring in “River Runs Red,” the LCIFF Opening Night Film, with Taye Diggs, John Cusack, Luke Hemsworth and RJ Mitte.
The 2019 LCIFF will be the fourth year for the festival with as many as 10,000 people expected to attend, bringing an estimated $2 million to the Las Cruces economy.
The Festival’s executive director Ross Marks points to the event as not only a boon to the local economy, but also a way to highlight southern New Mexico’s place in the state’s $500 million film industry. Marks, an accomplished film director whose most recent project, “Walking with Herb,” was filmed in Las Cruces, is a professor with NMSU’s Creative Media Institute.
“We screen these fabulous independent films,” Marks said. “But, more importantly, we bring the filmmakers into Las Cruces and show them we are a viable location for future projects.”
Lopez’s award is among several to be given during the festival, which screens more than 100 films and brings in dozens of industry professionals. Lopez co-created, wrote, produced and starred in his hit sitcom “George Lopez,” which ran for six seasons on ABC.
In 2015, Lopez was seen in the inspirational drama, “Spare Parts.” Produced by Lopez, the film is based on a true story about four undocumented Mexican-American teenagers from Phoenix who team up to build an underwater robot that wins the national robotics competition.
The LCIFF is tied to NMSU’s Creative Media Institute and provides a variety of opportunities for local film students. Marks explained LCIFF is the only festival partnered with a university and he is proud of the fact last year’s event was put on entirely by students with the exception of three people.
“It’s been really rewarding and inspiring,” Marks said. “One of my students got a job working on South by Southwest based on his work on the Las Cruces film festival.”
Tickets for the 2019 Las Cruces International Film Festival are on sale now at www.LasCrucesFilmFest.com.
Information from NMSU