New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA) students showcased their exceptional creativity at the 2025 Film Prize Junior New Mexico, held April 4 – 6 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Competing against nearly 200 submissions from across the state, NMSA students won top honors in this prestigious student filmmaking competition.
About Film Prize Junior New Mexico
Film Prize Junior is modeled after the nationally acclaimed Louisiana Film Prize and has been empowering young filmmakers in New Mexico since its launch in the 2021 – 22 school year. The program offers middle and high school students hands-on experience in filmmaking, from story development to final edits, and culminates in a public festival where all completed films are screened.
Since its inaugural event, Film Prize Junior New Mexico has supported over 3,000 students from more than 200 schools in creating 320 short films that were later screened at the annual festival.
The 2025 Film Prize Junior New Mexico festival featured hundreds of submissions, highlighting the growing impact of youth media programs across the state.
The 2025 Virtual Film Festival, which ran from April 10 – 17, offered audiences a chance to view selected films from the Film Prize Junior New Mexico festival online.
Celebrating Award-Winning Student Films
Two NMSA students were recognized for their remarkable achievements at an awards ceremony.
Tulsi Shaw
Tulsi Shaw, a Visual Arts student (class of 2027), won the Grand Prize for Best Overall Film for their enchanting short film Wings!!! Shaw also received the award for Best Overall High School Fantasy Film, solidifying their position as a festival favorite.
Tegan Wetzel
Tegan Wetzel, a Dance student (class of 2025), earned the Best Overall Thriller award for his gripping film Clean Radio.
In addition to these accolades, five NMSA students had their films selected for screening during the festival, demonstrating the school’s strong presence in New Mexico’s creative arts community.
A Milestone Year for NMSA
NMSA’s 2025 Film Prize Junior New Mexico awards come at an exciting time for NMSA as it launches its new Cinema & Digital Media Arts Department, expanding its offerings to include digital storytelling, screenwriting, cinematography, and more.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and the recognition their films have received,” said Diego Gomez, Creative Writing & Literature instructor at NMSA.
“These awards mark a significant achievement and arrive just as we announce the launch of our new program. We’re excited to see what our students will accomplish in the film industry in the years ahead.”
About New Mexico School for the Arts
Founded in 2010 and based in Santa Fe, New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA) is a four-year, statewide-enrolling, tuition-free public charter high school dedicated to young artists. Its dual-curriculum integrates rigorous academics with intensive pre-professional arts training in disciplines such as dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and now cinema.
While academic programming is publicly funded, NMSA’s arts programs are supported by NMSA – Art Institute, a local nonprofit organization that relies on donor support to sustain its mission.
Empower the Next Generation of Filmmakers
The achievements of NMSA students at the 2025 Film Prize Junior New Mexico highlight the school’s commitment to nurturing young artists and filmmakers. As NMSA continues to expand its offerings with the new Cinema & Digital Media Arts Department, it remains dedicated to providing students with the skills and opportunities needed to excel in the creative arts.
Learn more about NMSA’s classes, apply to NMSA, or support the next generation of artists.
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Featured image courtesy of Film Prize Junior New Mexico.
This article was posted by Jess
