Las Cruces' biggest student-run film event has locked in a new spring slot, with the 2027 Las Cruces International Film Festival scheduled for April 14–18 at New Mexico State University. Organizers expect more than 12,000 people to turn out for five days of movies, workshops, panels and industry gatherings.
The dates were shifted from an earlier April schedule to make room for programming, industry guests and event logistics, according to the festival's announcement. The adjustment keeps the festival on its regular spring calendar while giving organizers more time to shape the 12th annual event.
Presented by Nusenda Credit Union, Visit Las Cruces, the City of Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico True and Allen Theatres, the festival will return to the NMSU campus in 2027. KFOX14 reports that organizers anticipate showing between 150 and 200 feature films, short films, animated projects and music videos.
A Major Film Event Built By Students
The Las Cruces International Film Festival is organized through NMSU's Creative Media Institute and is recognized as the nation's largest student-run film festival. The festival says it now attracts roughly 12,000 attendees annually and has drawn more than 80,000 visitors, nearly 1,500 filmmakers and more than 700 student participants since its launch.
That student workforce is not just handing out programs and pointing people toward the theaters. In a March announcement, New Mexico State University said roughly 80 to 100 students from the Creative Media Institute and Doña Ana Community College help produce the festival under the guidance of executive director Ross Marks.
The event is designed to cover both sides of the business: the creative work of writing, directing and producing, as well as the practical realities of networking, marketing and distribution. Organizers also plan educational panels, hands-on workshops and special events that connect aspiring filmmakers with established entertainment professionals.
Submissions Are Open As Lineup Details Wait
Filmmakers can already submit projects for consideration, with the festival's FilmFreeway listing showing deadlines through November and a notification date of December 20, 2026. The submission categories include narrative and documentary features, shorts, student films, animation and music videos.
The 2027 lineup, ticket information, celebrity guests and special events will be announced later. Past editions have featured actors including Michael Rooker and Steve Zahn, giving the festival a track record of pairing student-produced programming with some recognizable Hollywood wattage.
For Las Cruces, the festival is more than a five-day movie marathon: It is a recurring showcase for Southern New Mexico's creative economy and the region's growing reputation as a place where films can get made, screened and discussed. The new dates give filmmakers, students and moviegoers a firm reason to keep April 14–18, 2027 open.
