The ten projects were chosen through a competitive application process from a pool of 200 applicants for a screenwriting training program. The training will run for six months. Run by Stowe Story Labs founder and director David Rocchio and co-founder David Pope, New Voices New Mexico is designed to support emerging screenwriters in developing foundational skills necessary for writing feature film and television scripts.Â
“This initiative is a direct result of our partnerships with major studios in New Mexico and our commitment to nurture homegrown talent,†New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
Participants must be current New Mexican residents or New Mexicans studying out-of-state. Applicants had to demonstrate an ability to write a feature or television script, capacity to learn and incorporate new skills and approaches into their work, a collaborative nature, and willingness to develop a strong story idea.
Participants are responsible for the program’s application fee and travel costs to Taos, however, program design, application process, instruction, mentoring, meals and lodging are provided through funding from the New Mexico Film Office.
Selected were:
Chelese Belmont and Shannan Reeve (Albuquerque);  Thomas Gray (Española); Liana Morales (Albuquerque); Ruben Muller (Albuquerque); Daniel Peaslee (Santa Fe); Brittany Ramirez and Micaela Legarda (Las Cruces); Kira Sipler and Lorraine Montez (Albuquerque); Enrique Cruz Torres (Albuquerque); RaquelTroyce(Albuquerque); and Carmen Tsabetsaye (Albuquerque).