Taos Film Office

photos by Geraint Smith

Site under construction - Taos Locations

High desert, canyons, alpine peaks, ranches, cabins, adobes, churches:

Taos County and the Enchanted Circle offer an enormous range of "looks."

“In the magnificent fierce morning of New Mexico one sprang awake, a new part of the soul woke up suddenly, and the old world gave way to the new.”

– DH Lawrence, lines written at the Kiowa Ranch in San Cristobal.

“Magic hour here starts at noon.”

— Line spoken by Dean Semler, Directory of Photography, Oscar Winner for Dances with Wolves, during a location scout for the western, Appaloosa.

The Pueblo of the Tiwa Indians has attracted visitation for a millennium. In modern times the Town and County of Taos welcome visitors: it is an integral part of the area’s function. It is time this welcome was extended to the film business.

Traditional income drivers are under threat: skiing from climate change, tourism from inflation. Since 2021 the NM Film Incentive Program has brought over 3 billion dollars of direct expenditure into our state; NM State projects an input from film of $450 million in fiscal ’25/’26

Mission

Taos Film Office (TFO) has been formed to attract film production to Northern New Mexico for economic benefit and to create sustainable opportunities for well-paid workforce development and ongoing youth engagement.

Youth today face overwhelming challenges: uncertain future, rapid change, diminished opportunity, technological threat, job insecurity. Through our network of contacts and in liaison with partners TFO will train and hire young locals in film production trades.

Strategy

Develop a collaborative film office that represents the diverse cultures and stimulates collaboration with strategic partners and suppliers throughout the county
Develop a film-based economy for Taos that includes an increased rebate offered to production companies from the current 25% to 40% through 10% rural uplift and 5% Qualified Production Facility.
Support ongoing youth development in film in Taos through skills transfer workshops taught by industry professionals to train young locals in entry level jobs and, as budget allows, hire them to assist film office database development and work on both local and out-of-town production.
Develop new careers in the film industry by attracting the film industry to Taos and thereby creating an alternative industry to the region for economic diversity.

photos by Jonathan Slator