NMSU film buzzes into Burbank festival

LAS CRUCES (KRQE) - The first feature film produced by the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University continues to create buzz in the movie world.

" Becoming Eduardo " came away with the Albuquerque International Film Festival award for "Best New Mexico Film" last weekend and now been chosen to screen at the Burbank International Film Festival this month in Burbank, Calif.

"We as a department are very proud of the faculty and student's success in making this fine film," CMI Academic Department Head Philip Lewis said. "Although I'm not surprised at their achievements, as they are all so talented."

Co-produced, written and directed by CMI instructor Rod McCall, "Becoming Eduardo" has already been screened in film festivals such as the Orlando Hispanic Film Festival and the Breckenridge Festival of Film.

It was recognized at both the 2009 Santa Fe Film Festival and the 2010 White Sands Film Festival, winning the Milagro Award for Best Latino Film, the 2009 New Mexico Filmmaker Award "Tamalewood Award," the Audience Choice Award and Best New Mexico Film awards.

The story follows 16-year-old Eddie Corazón, a student at an alternative high school in a fictional New Mexico town, as he navigates between friends in the drug world and teachers trying to steer him to education. Along the way he discovers ballroom dancing, poetry and love before stumbling and starting over.

Filmed during the summer of 2008, "Becoming Eduardo" was shot entirely in Southern New Mexico and offered CMI students real-world experience doing everything from camera work to sound mixing. NMSU faculty and staff also assisted in the developments of the film.

"I could not have done the film without CMI," said McCall. "We had eight CMI students who worked as production assistants. They were amazing. Many of our faculty and staff contributed to the film."

"Becoming Eduardo" will screen at the Burbank festival at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, in the Latino film category.

The annual Burbank International Film Festival is a weeklong event celebrating Burbank's rich cinematic and motion picture history by hosting cinematic art and up and coming filmmakers from around the globe. It is held on the campus of Woodbury University in the Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium.