SFCC celebrated groundbreaking for new Film & Television Backlot

Leaders from education, government, and the film industry came together on Tuesday morning, October 21, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Santa Fe Community College Film & Television Backlot, a new hands-on training facility to be located east of the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center on SFCC’s campus.

Speakers included SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., Elizabeth Kianu Stahmer of the Stagecoach Foundation, Camilla Bustamante, Ph.D. of the Santa Fe County Commission, Liz Marshall of IATSE Local 480, Steve Graham of the New Mexico Film Office, and Jennifer LaBar-Tapia of the Santa Fe Film Office. The event was emceed by Marcos Maez, SFCC Director of Recruitment and Community Outreach.

Guests included best-selling author and producer George R.R. Martin, President & Co-Founder of Stagecoach Foundation, a partner in the Backlot project.

The project—an extension of SFCC Mosaica, the college’s nonprofit research-park entity—represents a public-private partnership among the college, Stagecoach Foundation, IATSE Local 480, and local and state agencies.

President Rowley described the project as a reflection of SFCC’s mission:

“From the college’s perspective, this new backlot represents what SFCC does best: giving students the chance to learn by doing, to gain practical skills, and to prepare for meaningful, employable work that strengthens their families and our regional economy. Whether our graduates go on to build film sets, manage lighting, design props, or apply these same skills in construction, design, or technology—or even move into creative pursuits above the line—they will be part of New Mexico’s creative future.”

When not in use for education and training, the Backlot will serve as a qualified New Mexico film location, opening new opportunities for students and partners to collaborate with the state’s growing creative sector.