Las Cruces, Feb 15 2024 - Wanda Bowman, a well-known business owner and philanthropist in Las Cruces, is set to receive the prestigious "Hometown Hero" award at the ninth annual Las Cruces International Film Festival (LCIFF). The festival, supported by New Mexico State University and Visit Las Cruces, will take place from April 3-7.
The "Hometown Hero" award is presented each year to an individual with ties to the Las Cruces area who has made significant contributions to the community. Wanda Bowman has been recognized for her kindness, generosity, and selflessness by Ross Marks, the founder and executive director of LCIFF. Marks describes her as a pillar of the community who has made Las Cruces a better city through her business and philanthropic endeavors.
The award ceremony will be held on April 6 at the Rio Grande Theatre on 211 N. Main Street. VIP tickets to attend the ceremony are available for purchase on the LCIFF website. In the past, the "Hometown Hero" award has been bestowed upon notable figures such as New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Russell Allen, Belia Alvarez and Curtis Rosemond, Irene Oliver Lewis, Greg Smith, and Marci Dickerson.
Wanda Bowman's contributions extend beyond her business success. She has received numerous awards, including being named Citizen of the Year in 2022 and winning the Las Cruces Bulletin's "Best Home Furnishing Store" award for three consecutive years. Bowman's philanthropy efforts include purchasing the Lou Henson-era NMSU Basketball flooring and auctioning off pieces to benefit the athletic department. She also donated 211 beds to children in need, earning her the Partner in Education award.
The LCIFF, a five-day festival, will take place in-person at the Allen Theatres Cineport 10. Various ticket options are available for purchase, including VIP passes, All-Access Passes, Day Passes, and admission to the Outstanding Achievement celebrity screening.
LCIFF founder Ross Marks, who is also a professor at NMSU Creative Media Institute, established the festival in 2016. He teaches a class on film festival production at NMSU and provides valuable experience to his students through their involvement in LCIFF. The festival has attracted large crowds of over 10,000 people to the region.
The recognition of Wanda Bowman as the "Hometown Hero" at the Las Cruces International Film Festival highlights her significant contributions to the community. Her philanthropic efforts and dedication to making Las Cruces a better city have earned her this prestigious award.
