Courtesy santafenm.film
After a three-month search, the New Mexico Film Office has a new director.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Steve Graham as the role Tuesday afternoon. Former director Amber Dodson left the position in August after over four years in the role.
The New Mexico Film Office is a division of the state Economic Development Department that works to grow the film, television and digital media industry and expand entertainment economic opportunities for New Mexico businesses and residents.
Graham, a Lovington native, has over 25 years of experience in managing film and television productions. His credits include productions with Netflix, CBS Studios and Syfy. Since 2005, he has produced over 120 episodes of television and worked on more than a dozen films. In a statement, the new film office director said he was “honored” to take over the role and “strengthen a local industry that has always been close to my heart.”
“Our state has an extraordinary pool of creative talent, and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to grow, innovate, and provide meaningful opportunities for New Mexicans in film,” Graham said.
Graham tells SFR film work in the state is "pretty slow right now." That's why his major priorities for the New Mexico Film Office include incentivizing production companies to come to the state and working within "the educational ecosystem" and with unions to strengthen training programs.
"The locations are amazing. The vistas you get in New Mexico you can't get anywhere else," he says. "Another one of the ways we grow the industry here and keep the crew one of the best in the world is through training programs. Our job is always first to improve the lives of New Mexicans through film jobs."
Outside of film sets, Graham is involved in organizations such as the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America and supports other local initiatives including the Santa Fe Film and New Media Council and the Stagecoach Foundation. Graham was also a co-owner of the local production company Goodwest Productions, a western prop house called Santa Fe Cinema Props, and the New Mexico post production company Rancho Post, but will step down from those roles, he says.
“Steve Graham is a native New Mexican whose deep roots and extensive background in film and television production make him an outstanding choice for this position,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement following Graham’s appointment. “His proven leadership and innovative approach will continue to elevate New Mexico as a premier film destination, creating more opportunities for our talented local workforce and promoting diverse voices.”
Graham begins work today.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include comments from Graham received after original publication.
