The film industry, which has contributed close to $2 billion to the Santa Fe area since 2016, has bounced back well from COVID and is currently back to its pre-pandemic levels.
"When it comes to movies, TV and digital entertainment, Santa Fe is the place to write, produce and make a movie or TV show,” Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber recently tweeted. "Roll the credits!"
Former Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez started a film in production that is currently located in Santa Fe. The film industry in Santa Fe has contributed more than $2 billion to the local economy over the past five years, including $578 million in direct spending.
The film industry in New Mexico contributes 12,000 jobs statewide and approximately 3,000 directly in the Santa Fe region, according to the New Mexico Film Office. It also drives other industries in New Mexico and the Santa Fe area, including hotels, restaurants, catering, office supplies, construction materials and facilities rentals.
It has also been claimed that the film productions promote Santa Fe's "brand" and spark tourist interest in the region.
Current productions in the Santa Fe area include Holiday in Santa Fe, a made-for-TV Christmas film starring Lopez, the third and fourth seasons of the TV series Roswell, and an upcoming true crime series.