As Santa Fe prepared to bid farewell to gloom for the 100th time, a new documentary captured one of the city’s most beloved traditions. Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption, produced by Hutton Films, offers an intimate look at the history, artistry, and community spirit behind the annual burning of Old Man Gloom.
Watch the trailer, get behind-the-scenes insights, and find additional information at HuttonBroadcasting.com.
About Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption
Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption is a 42-minute documentary that captures the fiery, cathartic, and liberating Santa Fe tradition of Zozobra, a 50-foot marionette representing gloom and despair.
For a century, this monstrous effigy has been built and ceremoniously burned, symbolizing a communal release of hardships and a collective embrace of renewal. Since 1965, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe has been the steward of Zozobra, preserving the tradition while using its proceeds to support Santa Fe youth programs.
The film, directed by McCall Sides and Elisa Bourget Hutton, was produced by Hutton Films in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club and PNM. It explores the history of Zozobra — from its origins with artist Will Shuster to its evolution into a major cultural event that draws thousands annually.
“This documentary is our love letter to Santa Fe,” says Elisa Hutton, director of Hutton Films. “We wanted to create something that not only celebrates Zozobra’s history but also highlights the incredible community that has kept this tradition alive for 100 years.”
Through stunning visuals and personal accounts from key figures like Raymond Sandoval, David Kesler, Ashley Moore, and the Santa Fe Community, the documentary captures the deep emotional and historical significance of this City Different tradition.
Watch The Documentary at the Santa Fe Film Festival
As Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption continues to captivate audiences, it will be featured at the prestigious 2025 Santa Fe Film Festival (SFFF) as part of its opening night lineup, with an additional matinee screening later in the festival.
Screening Details:
- Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m. at The Scottish Rite Temple
(463 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87504) - Sunday, February 23, 12:00 p.m. at The Screen at Garson Studios
(1600 St. Michaels Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505)
These screenings offer a unique opportunity to experience Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption on the big screen, surrounded by fellow film enthusiasts and members of the creative team.
The Santa Fe Film Festival, now in its 25th year, remains a vital platform for independent cinema, showcasing diverse films from around the world.
Get your tickets and explore the full festival lineup at SantaFeFilmFestival.com.
Previous Screenings
In August 2024, the film debuted with a series of free community screenings at Violet Crown Cinema, giving Santa Feans a chance to relive a century of tradition on the big screen.
August 28, 2024: The event featured four special screenings sponsored by Christus St. Vincent:
- 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Special screening for Hutton Broadcasting clients
- 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Exclusive showing for Christus St. Vincent employees
- 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Community screening (tickets available through KBAC and KTRC)
- 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Community screening (tickets available through KQBA and KLBU)
For those who couldn’t attend in person, the documentary aired on KOAT Channel 7 on August 29, bringing the Zozobra story into homes across New Mexico. Additional free community screenings ran throughout the day on August 31, with a final limited engagement at Violet Crown from September 1-5, benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe.
Behind the Scenes
Hutton Broadcasting’s commitment to the project went beyond creating this stunning film. The company leveraged its media network to ensure the documentary reached as wide an audience as possible. With promotions running across KBAC, KTRC, KQBA, and KLBU, the airwaves buzzed with Zozobra fever.
Looking Ahead
As Santa Fe prepares for the 101st Burning of Zozobra, Zozobra: 100 Years of Fire and Redemption serves as both a retrospective and a look toward the future. It’s a reminder of the traditions that bind us and the creativity that continues to define Santa Fe.
Join SantaFe.com and Hutton Broadcasting in celebrating 101 years of burning away our worries and welcoming hope. Here’s to another century of Zozobra!
This article was posted by Rory
