PIVOT. CREATE. LEAD.
Thriving in a Changing Industry
2026 Sponsors
July 24-26, 2026
Albuquerque, NM
THANKS TO OUR FINANCIAL SPONSORS:
NM Film Office, Bernalillo County Film Office
Albuquerque Film Office, & Santa Fe Film Office
Regular All Access Passes are FREE!
Note that space is limited and registration IS required.
Frame by Frame Film Industry Summit, Festival & Gala brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, educators, and creative leaders for a multi-day event focused on strengthening the independent film industry—one frame at a time. The 2026 Theme is:
PIVOT. CREATE. LEAD: Thriving in a Changing Industry
Hosted at the Historic Lobo Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 24-26, 2026.
Workshops and additional screenings will be held at the Black Cat Cultural Center just around the block.
The event celebrates excellence in completed works as well as upcoming works through the screenplay & pitch competition that elevates one television pilot for production in 2027 with a $20,000 production budget.
Frame by Frame combines a professional summit, film festival, and industry marketplace, featuring selected screenings and awards for feature films, pilots, series showcases, and vertical micro-dramas, alongside expert-led workshops, panels, a vendor & resource hall, along with exclusive VIP events.
Masquerade Gala: The Next Scene Awaits
Step into an unforgettable evening celebrating New Mexico's filmmakers, storytellers, and creative community.
Masquerade: The Next Scene Awaits is the signature gala of the Frame by Frame Summit, featuring a red carpet reception, live entertainment, a cash bar, a silent auction, and the presentation of awards honoring excellence in filmmaking and creative leadership. The celebration continues with music, dancing, and opportunities to connect with fellow creatives, industry professionals, and supporters of New Mexico film.
More than a celebration, the Gala is an investment in New Mexico's creative future.
Ten percent of proceeds support the New Mexico Film Emergency Fund, providing assistance to film professionals facing unexpected hardship. An additional ten percent supports the New Mexico Film Grant Program, helping bring independent New Mexico productions to life through small production grants. Remaining proceeds support Katharsis Media's year-round programming, including the Screenplay & Pitch Competition and initiatives that foster mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
Frame by Frame celebrates exceptional storytelling, builds meaningful industry connections, and helps create new opportunities for New Mexico's creative community, ensuring that the next great story has the support it needs to be told. Learn more & purchase tickets →
Thanks to our sponsors, Regular All Access Passes are FREE
Registration IS REQUIRED and seats are LIMITED. You may also upgrade for a fee:
-
VIP All Access: $45
-
Hollywood Status $65
Note that Hollywood Status is a special status for the Gala only.
Tentative Schedule:
Friday, July 24, 2026:
Kick Off Mixer!!
5:00pm-8:00pm
Join us for a little pre-event mixer!
Ticket / Passes available for pickup during this event as well.
The Imperial--Special Event Space
701 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Speed Networking**
7:00pm-8:30pm
Sit down across from some of our incredible speakers
and industry professionals to talk shop and ask questions!
**FOR VIP PASSHOLDERS**
location sent 1 week prior to event to VIP Passholders
Speakers & Special Guests confirmed:
Oscar Rene Lozoya II, Joshua A. Friedman, Joshua Butler, Annine Fan Zhang, Alexandra Rivas (NMPBS), Andrea Quijada (NMPBS), Kathryn Brink, Theresa Stoll (Bankston Talent), Ciarra Blackwell (Priority Talent), Evangeline Archibeque (Priority Talent), Robb Wilson King,
And more TBD
Saturday, July 25, 2026:
The Historic Lobo Theatre
8:00am: Registration Opens
9:00am: Welcome Address / Keynote
Panels & Workshops held at The Historic Lobo Theatre & The Black Cat Cultural Center
10:00-11:15am: Panel #1 / Screening Block #1 / Workshops Session 1
11:30am-1:00pm VIP Luncheon (VIP PASSHOLDERS & SPEAKERS)
1:00pm-2:15pm Panel #2 / Screening Block #2 / Workshops Session 2
2:30pm-3:45pm Panel #3 / Screening Block #3 / Workshops Session 3
4:00pm-5:15pm Panel #4 / Screening Block #4 / Workshops Session 4
The Historic Lobo Theatre
7:30pm-9:30pm Black Tie Gala & Awards
9:30pm-11:30pm Late Night Entertainment
Sunday, July 26, 2026:
The Historic Lobo Theatre
8:00am: Registration Opens
9:00am: VIP Brunch (VIP PASSHOLDERS & SPEAKERS)
10:30-12:30pm: Closing Session: THINK TANK
Join us Sunday morning for a candid conversation and think tank about the status of our industry and brainstorm about how to move New Mexico forward. This will be an action-oriented discussion to determine next steps and set processes in place toward a stronger NM Film Industry. Please join us for this incredibly important discussion.
Registration, Vendor & Resource Hall, and Panels will all be at the Lobo Theatre.
Final workshop details will be available starting July 2026.
2026 Speakers & Workshops!
We are still finalizing the Workshops for 2026, but here's what's on the docket so far!
Each session includes one large group panel with industry professionals as well as several small group workshops designed to teach skills and mentorship in a small group setting. Workshops seats are limited and VIP and All Access Pass holders receive priority selection through July 11, after which, workshops/sessions will be available for registration on a first come, first served basis. Opening and Closing Sessions and the Vendor Hall are open to all registered participants.
Opening Session Saturday, July 25, 2026: 9:00am-9:45am
A Conversation with Sara Lynn Krupnick:
Pivoting in the Paradigm Shift of the Entertainment Industry
Session 1: 10:00am-11:15am
Panel: The Future Is Already Here: AI, Vertical Stories & the New Audience
Panelists: Annine Fan Zhang, Brian Solomon, Robb Wilson King
Workshops
-
AD Bootcamp with Joshua A. Friedman: An overview of the responsibilities and paperwork in the AD department
-
Director's Prep for an Episode of TV with Oscar Rene Lozoya II: Step by step on prepping for an episode of television
-
Screening Block 1:
-
People vs Politics
-
i have to see her
-
-
Show Me the Money! A crash course in how independent films actually get financed, covering capital stacks and recoupment waterfalls.
-
Writing & Producing Your Podcast/ Talkshow with Candice Neu & Sara Lynn Krupnick: The why and How of starting your own podcast or talk show--basically, we're going to talk you into it, and then we're going to show you what tools you need to get started and distribute it.
THE EXCHANGE: Coffee, Conversation, Collaboration
an open space to connect, collaborate, and keep the conversation going throughout the weekend.
Session 2: 1:00pm-2:15pm
Panel: Leading the Story: Creators on Building the Future of Storytelling
Panelists: Oscar Rene Lozoya II, Dezbaa', Galen Walker, Joshua Butler, Joshua A. Friedman
Workshops
-
Exploring the importance of the Visual Narrative with Robb Wilson King: how design can serve and enhance every story - adding layers of information etc. that can often not be in the script - but only to be discovered screen.
-
What’s Happening: A Lesson In Actuality for Actors with Danielle Simone: In this workshop, actors will practice responding to what’s actually happening in the room and using internal/external stimuli to: 1. deepen their presence in a scene and 2. enhance the connection to their scene partner.
-
Verticals 101 with Annine Fan Zhang: Introducing vertical storytelling, not just flipping your frame.
-
The NM Film Incentive Process (& Updates): Did you know that as of June 1, the process for filing your NM Film Incentive has changed? Whether this is your first time or first time since June 1, this workshop covers the process, the paperwork, and ends with a Q&A.
-
Creating Produceable Shows for NMED with Candice Neu: Have an idea for a show? Bring it to this hands-on workshop to develop concepts that could be greenlit for production on the New Mexico Education Channel this fall.
THE EXCHANGE: Coffee, Conversation, Collaboration
an open space to connect, collaborate, and keep the conversation going throughout the weekend.
Session 3: 2:30pm-3:45pm
Panel: Making What's Next: Financing Projects, Finding Opportunities & Building a Sustainable Career
A practical conversation about how projects get made, where new opportunities are emerging, and what it takes to build a sustainable career in a changing industry.
Panelists: Neil Forcadela, Sara Lynn Krupnick, Galen Walker
Workshops
-
Pitching Your Project with Joshua Butler: A practical guide to how to build and present a strong pitch.
-
The Actor Package with Theresa Stoll & Ciarra Blackwell: Local to National—a candid look at what makes an actor's package competitive, how expectations differ between markets like New Mexico and Los Angeles, and what agents look for when considering representation.
-
Working the Scene: Taking Direction on Camera with Oscar Rene Lozoya II & Candice Neu: Actors receive script sides in advance and work the scene through multiple takes with a focus on taking and implementing adjustments. Note: limited performance slots, but additional audit slots available.
-
Vertical Drama Clinic with Annine Fan Zhang: Bring one completed episode of your vertical series. We'll review selected submissions together and break down what works, what doesn't, and how to elevate your story from every angle.
-
VFX Spotting Session with Lycee Anaya: A fast, practical walkthrough of how VFX supervisors evaluate a scene, identify required visual effects, and translate creative intent into an actionable VFX shot list.
THE EXCHANGE: Coffee, Conversation, Collaboration
an open space to connect, collaborate, and keep the conversation going throughout the weekend.
Session 4: 4:00pm-5:15pm
Panel: Beyond the Headshot: Casting, Representation & Building a Career
Panelists: Kathryn Brink, Lorrie Latham, Theresa Stoll, Ciarra Blackwell
Workshops
-
Pre is Post with Triple Tone Audio: a practical workshop designed for filmmakers, producers, directors, department heads, and production crew to identify the key creative and technical considerations that should be addressed before and during production, including production sound planning, capturing custom sound libraries, lighting with color correction in mind, consulting with VFX supervisors, protecting clean editorial workflows, and budgeting realistically for post. With Jason Wolf, Lycee Anaya, Nick Bell, & Caine Deegan.
-
Screenplay & Pitch Competition--Adjudicators: Galen Walker, Oscar Rene Lozoya, Joshua Butler, Robb Wilson King, Joshua Friedman: Sit in on the pitch competition as screenplay writers pitch their latest feature film or pilot script and get live feedback from the panel--and while some of them compete for a $20,000 production budget!
-
Screening Block 2:
-
Wind to Waves
-
The Warm Heart of Africa
-
Rosa Ave
-
THE EXCHANGE: Coffee, Conversation, Collaboration
an open space to connect, collaborate, and keep the conversation going throughout the weekend.
Closing Session Sunday, July 26, 2026: 10:30am-12:30pm
State of the Industry: Where We're At
The Next Frame --a Thinktank about What's Next for NM Film
Pitch Competition Winners Announced
This year at Frame by Frame, we are excited to honor the work of filmmakers and writers through screenings and the presentation of awards. Winners in all categories receive trophies and laurels. Winners in the screenplay categories also win a $500 cash prize and the winner of the Screenplay Production Consideration Category will have their project produced on a $20,000 microbudget through Katharsis Media.
Late Submissions are currently open through July 15, 2026.
Notification date for late submissions will be July 20, 2026.
Film Categories (projects already produced):
-
Feature Film (45+ minutes)
-
Series Pilot (24-60 minutes)
-
Series / Limited Series Season Showcase (up to 10 minutes
-
Vertical Short Micro Drama
-
Vertical Short Series Season Showcase
NOTE: We are looking for NARRATIVE projects, not docu-series, live / reality television, etc.
Projects submitted will be considered for Grand Jury and all Craft awards, as appropriate, no additional submission necessary.
Grand Jury Awards
Projects may receive awards including:
• Best Feature Film
• Best Series Pilot
• Best Series Season Showcase
• Best Vertical Micro Drama
• Best Vertical Series Showcase
Craft Awards
Additional honors may include:
• Best Director
• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Best Performance
• Best Ensemble Cast
• Best Vertical Innovation
Additional awards may be presented at the discretion of the jury.
Winners receive official festival laurels and trophies presented at the Frame by Frame Festival Gala.
To submit: Upload your film to an online platform (such as google drive) and provide the link on this submission page. Be sure the permissions are set to "everyone with the link can view". For season showcases please submit clips from 3-6 episodes from one season to TOTAL no longer than 30 minutes. Vertical Shorts seasons can be complete episodes. Separate clips or episodes with 1 second of black between each clip an episode number and title. Do not make a montage. Clips should be intact and unedited (meaning an 8 minute clip exactly as it aired in the episode).
Screenplay / Pitch Competition Categories:
-
Feature Film or Series Pilot--Production Consideration
-
Feature Film or Series Pilot--NON Production Consideration
The Screenplay & Pitch Competition winners in each category will receive:
-
$500 Cash Prize
-
Award Plaque
-
Official Laurels
-
The Production Consideration project winner will also have their project developed and produced on a $20,000 budget through Katharsis Media.
Selection of winners for the Screenplay & Pitch Competition:
Up to FOUR finalists in each of the two categories will be selected as finalists and invited to pitch their project to the committee live at the Frame by Frame Festival on July 25th. If possible, pitches should be in person, but virtual pitching will be accommodated for out of state participants.
Both Production Consideration and NON-Production Consideration project finalists will receive live feedback on their pitches from the panel and possibly written feedback after.
The Production Consideration category will be scored based on feasibility of the project to be produced within a micro-budget of no more than $20,000. The project should be set in modern times, using found locations, and with limited special effects. It must be a feature film or series pilot.
The Non Production Consideration category winner may submit a script of any budget and does not need to be set in modern times or using found locations. It can be either feature film or the pilot for a series or limited series.
Eligibility
-
Open to creators of all experience levels.
-
Projects must align with one of the following categories:
-
Production Consideration: Feature Film or Series Pilot: Feature films must be 90 pages or less; pilots between 25-60 pages.
-
Non-Production Consideration: Feature Film or Series Pilot (e.g., fantasy, period pieces, or high-budget concepts not suited for this production budget). Feature films must be 120 pages or less; pilots between 25-60 pages.
For BOTH SCREENPLAY CATEGORIES, completed scripts and pitch decks are required for submission.
SUBMIT ONLINE VIA FILM FREEMWAY: USE DEADLINE WAIVER CODE: FBF26FinalHour for late submissions
Submit your project by July 15, 2026.
Late submissions will be notified by July 20, 2026
Support the future of New Mexico’s film and television industry by becoming a sponsor of the 2026 Frame by Frame Film Industry Summit & Gala!
This one-of-a-kind event brings together emerging filmmakers, seasoned professionals, and industry leaders for a full weekend of professional development, networking, and celebration.
As a sponsor, your brand will be recognized across print, digital, on-air, and on-site platforms, with opportunities that include:
-
Logo placement on event materials and signage
-
On-stage and screen recognition
-
VIP seating at the gala
-
Social media and email marketing mentions
-
Sponsorship Spots on the New Mexico Education Channel (Comcast 96)
-
And more!
We offer multiple sponsorship tiers and custom packages to meet your marketing goals. Whether you're a local business or national brand, your support makes a direct impact on the next generation of storytellers.
As much fun as we'll have together this weekend, Frame by Frame is about far more than an incredible evening of entertainment. It is an investment in the future of New Mexico's creative community.
At a time when the film industry is navigating unprecedented change, production opportunities have slowed, and arts organizations across the country are facing growing financial pressures, investing in creative careers has never been more important. New Mexico has built one of the nation's strongest film industries, but sustaining that success requires more than productions—it requires trained professionals, meaningful career pathways, thriving arts organizations, and a community willing to invest in the people behind the work.
Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and donation made helps Katharsis Media strengthen that foundation by supporting:
-
Paid apprenticeships that give emerging filmmakers, crew members, and media professionals real-world experience while earning industry credits and building sustainable careers.
-
Professional workshops, masterclasses, mentorship, and networking opportunities that connect New Mexico creatives with accomplished industry professionals from around the country.
-
The New Mexico Film Emergency Fund, providing financial assistance to film professionals facing unexpected hardship during periods of reduced production.
-
Grants that help independent filmmakers, writers, and artists bring new stories to life.
-
Original film, television, and digital productions that create paid opportunities for New Mexico talent both in front of and behind the camera.
-
Educational programs that introduce students and emerging creatives to careers in film, television, media, and the arts.
-
Community media initiatives and the New Mexico Education Channel, expanding access to educational, cultural, and locally produced programming while amplifying the voices and stories of our communities.
-
Year-round partnerships and initiatives that strengthen New Mexico's creative workforce, foster collaboration across artistic disciplines, and ensure our state's storytellers have opportunities to learn, create, and thrive.
When you attend Frame by Frame, you're doing more than celebrating excellence in film and the performing arts. You're helping build a stronger, more resilient creative ecosystem—one where artists, performers, filmmakers, educators, and craftspeople can develop their talents, find meaningful work, and continue creating the stories that define New Mexico.
