About Us

The WSIFF MISSION:The WSIFF is a non-profit 5013c organization dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers, and the filmgoing community. It is our mission to not only exhibit the best films available, but also to serve as a medium for new projects to get launched, financed and distributed. Networking opportunities at the WSIFF builds lasting connections in the unique backdrop of New Mexico. 

.... is to bring eminent filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences to Southern New Mexico in order to better appreciate the art of cinema, as well as provide a backdrop for these filmmakers and guests to form lasting relationships within their filmmaking careers;

.... to screen outstanding short and feature length documentaries and narratives of all genres from around the world, but also retain a special focus on Latino and New Mexican filmmaking, as well as celebrate outstanding cinema that has been shot in the amazing back drop of Southern New Mexico. 

... and to screen films that

• deal with contemporary issues
• celebrate the human spirit
• explore the Latino and or Hispanic World 
• have been made in New Mexico

• combine good story telling, writing, acting and direction

How it Began 

The White Sands International Film Festival began in Alamogordo, NM in 2005 after a group of art industry supporters felt that it would benefit southern New Mexico to have more of a film presence in its region, and by building the arts through film within the south, it would thusly aid and build the film industry in New Mexico as a whole.  The WSIFF staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to put together a small little festival focusing on films made in New Mexico or made by Latino filmmakers, and people have taken notice.   In 2009 the WSIFF expanded into Las Cruces. This expansion into a larger market enabled the festival to retain its commitment to bring high quality festival programming while intensifying arts education in the region. 

PAST GUESTS

François Girard, Director "The Red Violin"; Arturo Ripstein, Director,"La Reina de la Noche" ; Alejandro Monteverde, Director, Producer, "Bella"; Paz Alicia Garciadiego, Screenwriter, "Profundo Carmesi" ; Mark Medoff, Writer, Director, "Children of A Lesser God" ; Ali Landry, Actress, "Bella" ; Jamison Jones, Actor, "He Was A Quiet Man", "24" ; Elliott Lewitt, Producer, "At Close Range"; Jordan Roberts, Director "Around the Bend"; Rick Shroeder, Actor, Producer, "Black Cloud", Rocky Lang, Producer, Writer, "White Squall", "How I Broke Into Hollywood"; Wes Studi, Actor, "Last of the Mohicans