ABQ Film Industry
“Albuquerque has a lot going for it as a filming location: diverse “looks,” the ability to make a company move between downtown and empty desert in a single day of shooting, and, critically, a terrific labor pool of experienced technicians who make working in this area a huge plus for any project. All that and the special New Mexico light…. and sunsets!”
– Stew Lyons, Producer “Breaking Bad”
Do it all right here in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque is more than an inspired and smart choice for your film project. The city offers a healthy and relaxed lifestyle for those who consider staying longer or returning again and again. Albuquerque is a crossroads where cultures converge and diverse people live together with respect. Albuquerque is where opportunity is born.
Albuquerque – Economic Impact
Film, television, and commercial production in Albuquerque has become a significant part of the creative economy, providing high-paying creative and technical jobs, and indirectly benefiting other industries and businesses in the city. The Albuquerque Film Office supports this rapidly expanding industry by serving as a liaison between City agencies, the local community, and film, television, and commercial productions.
Albuquerque – Premiere Production Hub
- Incentives
- Diverse locations
- Abundant sunshine
- Deep crew base
- 90-minute flight from Los Angeles
Albuquerque – Industry Highlights
March, 2022
New Mexico’s government allocates $40 million in funding for the establishment of a new film, TV and digital academy in Albuquerque dubbed the Next Generation Media Arts Collective or NMMAC.
2020
Workshops to promote online training “Breaking In” August 2020
2020
Hosted Career Connection event: 7 panels of industry professionals, 300+ in attendance
2020
Released new digital permit process
2020
Hosted Deadline Hollywood’s 1st Hot Spot Conference
2019
SB2 – State Implemented Tax Rebate Incentive, $110M cap, includes games, animation and VFX project
2019
NBCUniversal – $500M – 10-year lease
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
Named Best Places to Live and Work as a Movie Maker, MovieMaker Magazine
2018
Netflix – $1B – 10-year minimum commitment
The New Mexico Film Industry Economic Impact 2024
In 2024, New Mexico updated its film incentives to include:
- TV Bonus: A 5% increase for TV pilots and series with a New Mexico budget of at least $50,000 per episode
- Uplift Zone Bonus: A 10% increase for qualified production expenditures outside of Santa Fe and Albuquerque
- Qualified Production Facility Bonus: A 5% increase for productions made in a qualified production facility
- Non-resident crew exception credit: A 15% credit with a cap of 20 BTL positions
- Regional Grant program: A program through the Santa Fe Film Institute that provides up to $5,000 in funding for New Mexico filmmakers
- Feb 6, 2024 — The program’s annual cap, set at $120 million for the fiscal year 2024,
Netflix New Mexico Filming
Chupa
2021
The production is employing approximately 300 New Mexico crew members and 650 New Mexico background and extras
Obliterated
2022
The production will employ approximately 350 New Mexico crew members, 25 New Mexico principal actors, and approximately 2,000 New Mexico background talent.
Rez Ball
2023
– The production will employ nearly 3,000 New Mexicans – 180 crew members and 2737 background talent
American Primeval
2023
– The production will employ over 4,000 New Mexicans – 3,420 as background talent, 750 as crew members, and 20 principal actors.
Pulse
2024
– The production will employ over 200 New Mexicans – 200 crew members and 30 background talent.
Ransom Canyon
2024
– The production will employ over 700 New Mexicans – 380 crew members, 40 principal actors, and 300 background talent
The Ridiculous 6
February 2015
Hired 600 New Mexico crew members, 250 New Mexico actors & background
Godless
September 2016
Hired 280 New Mexico crew members, 30 New Mexico actors, 2,350 New Mexico background
Longmire
March 2017
Final season hired 200 New Mexico crew members, 50 New Mexico principal actors, 1,000 New Mexico background
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
September 2017
Hired 188 New Mexico crew members, 16 New Mexico actors, 800 background
Messiah
May 2018
Hired 500 New Mexico crew members, 40 New Mexico actors, 1,800 New Mexico background
Chambers
June 2018
Hired 180 New Mexico crew members, 75 New Mexico actors, 400 New Mexico background
Walk. Ride. Rodeo
July 2018
Hired 60 New Mexico crew members, 20 New Mexico actors, 350 New Mexico background
Source: The NM Film Office