Film fest honors Odeon owners

The Tucumcari Film Festival capped its annual awards ceremony Saturday night with a surprise award to the owners of the historic Odeon Theatre.

Bobby Hockaday, the festival's chief organizer, announced the Curtain Call Award to the husband-and-wife team of Robert Lopez and Christy Dominguez, who have owned the venue since 2013. The Odeon, which dates to 1936, is under contract to be sold to an unnamed local resident.

Hockaday described Lopez and Dominguez as "stewards" of the theater.

"Your tireless efforts in preserving this historic gem have ensured that future generations will continue to experience the magic of cinema in all its story," he stated. "As you prepare to hand over the stewardship of this historic icon, we want to pause and honor your contributions - from adding Surround Sound to the installation of a new roof and renovation of the concession area. You have endured countless hours and dollars to ensure the legacy continues."

Lopez wasn't present when the award was announced. Dominguez, also the Odeon's general manager, had to be summoned to accept the honor because she was mopping the floor near the concession stand.

Dominguez said after the ceremony she was "very grateful" for the award.

"I'm very proud of the work Robert and I have accomplished here on this," she said. "I'm really grateful for all the beautiful things that we've been able to do for Tucumcari and keep for the future."

Dominguez noted the Odeon recently was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund to repaint and repair the theater's facade. She said she promised the fund that the upgrades would be completed.

"This (theater) was built for the common person," she said. "And to me, the common person is what holds up America because we work so hard."

Other awards

The films "Highway," "The Gandydancer" and "Tin Can" were the big winners at the festival, with each landing two awards.

"Highway," directed by Douglas Alan Cunningham," won Best of Stories of the Southwest and Best of Modern Western.

"The GandyDancer," directed by Stephen Burhoe, won Best of Show/Judges' Choice Award and Best of Retro-Futurism Frontier.

Pat Battistini's "Tin Can" won the Sheriff's Star award and Best of Spanish/Latino/Hispanic stories.

Brandon Martinez, whose "Infinity: Broken Memory" film earned Best Vision of Tomorrow, also won an award last year at the festival for his short film "Foresight."

Other winners

- Best of Western: "The Legend of Cactus Canyon," directed by Matthew Evans and Seriah Getty-Evans;

- Best of Animation: "Manhattanese" by Robertson Tirado;

- Best of A.I. and Humanity's Future: "Charlie.exe" by Matthew Evans;

- Best of Short Comedies: "Through the Lens of Mourning" by Sarah Gaudoin;

- Best of Exploration and Discovery Documentaries: "Successful Outlaw" by Daniel Leal Cortez.

The awardees praised the festival and Tucumcari.

"It's an honor to participate in something like this," Cunningham said. "When you hit the bullseye, it's a lot of fun."

Burhoe said: "This is a wonderful film festival. You're a wonderful community."

More than 30 films were screened at the festival.

Panel discussions

The Odeon hosted two panel discussions Saturday about the New Mexico film industry, which ranks in the top five in the nation.

"Filming in New Mexico: Where Imagination Meets Incentive," had Hockaday moderating a discussion with Dolores Martinez of the New Mexico Film Office and Royd McCargish of the New Mexico Film Foundation.

They discussed the state incentives program that provides tax credits for up to 40% of a film's production. The Rural Uplift Zone provides additional incentives for producers to shoot films in rural areas.

They also talked abut the film crew advancement program, fiscal sponsorship programs and the New Mexico Film Guide.

McCargish said in some cases, a film production can make substantial improvements to a building. He cited a ramshackle home in Los Alamos once used by J. Robert Oppenheimer that crews renovated for the "Oppenheimer" film. The house now is open for tours.

Discussing how small towns can become more involved in film productions, McCargish said "having a local liaison is helpful" and pointed to Hockaday.

An independent film, "Unprotected," wrapped production last week after about four weeks in Tucumcari and Quay County. Hockaday said among the locations used were the Golden Dragon restaurant and the TriStar Inn Xpress motel. Del's Restaurant also catered the meals for the film crew.

Hockaday said another film will be shot in Tucumcari and Quay County in a couple of weeks. It also will be shooting in Las Vegas and Santa Rosa.

Hockaday said the producer of the film shooting here soon is the same who produced "Next Exit," another film shot in Tucumcari that was released in 2022.

"They loved working here," he said. "The key thing is if we're film-friendly, films will come here, have a good experience, and more films will come."

Ruby Garcia, president of the Background Actors Association of New Mexico, during another presentation gave a crash course on how to become an extra in a film.

At one point, Garcia led a sing-along of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," prompting a few attendees to sing along, wave their hands and dance.

"Guess what? You are natural-born actors," she said afterward. "I saw a lot of you act, sing and dance. You let yourself be yourself."

Tucumcari resident Dennis Dysart took a lot of notes during Garcia's presentation.

"I'm interested" in being an extra, he said. "It's something I can do. It's for young ones or retirees - that's me."