Film Four Corners launches one-week filmmaking contest with Totah Theater kickoff

Film Four Corners launches a weeklong filmmaking contest with a public kickoff at the historic Totah Theater, 315 W Main St., Farmington, beginning Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., when organizers will distribute prompts to participants. KSJE 90.9 FM’s event listing instructs entrants to "join us on Feb 27th to get your prompt! Then you write, shoot, edit and submit by March 4th! Cash prizes presented!" Farmington’s event calendar lists the kickoff as a two-hour meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The contest window runs from the Feb. 27 kickoff through a March 4 submission deadline, making it a concentrated, seven-day production challenge. Farmington’s visitor page notes a public screening of entries on March 7 at 6:00 p.m., placing the screening three days after KSJE’s stated submission cutoff. Organizers have not published prize amounts on the local listings; KSJE confirms cash prizes will be awarded and Farmington’s event text directs filmmakers to Film Four Corners’ website and Facebook page for registration and prize details.

Film Four Corners is expanding its programming this year as part of a broader festival reorganization. TriCityRecordNM reports the main festival has been shortened to two days while organizers added a weeklong spring filmmaking contest; the story quotes board chairman Devin Neeley on the festival’s priorities. Neeley said, "It really shows the creativity, the excitement, the passion that people have for filmmaking. What I've learned is everybody's got a story to tell and some people use the art form of film to tell their story." He also framed the festival’s curation, stating, "This year’s festival continues our commitment to celebrating Indigenous, regional and culturally diverse filmmaking through a thoughtfully curated lineup of films, discussions and Q&As."

Practical information for participants and the public: the Totah Theater kickoff is at 315 W Main St., Farmington, NM 87401, running 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Feb. 27. The Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau listing on the city events page includes local support details and provides an office at 3041 E. Main St., Farmington; phone (505) 326-7602 for visitor inquiries. KSJE’s event page also displays station contact information at 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402; phone 505-566-3517; email KSJE@sanjuancollege.edu.

The contest is one element of Film Four Corners’ stated regional mission and year-round programming. TriCityRecordNM cites the organization’s website language: "Our mission is to make it as easy as possible for local filmmakers and large-scale, out-of-state productions to film in the Four Corners region," including assistance with permits, insurance, location scouting, transportation and craft services. Film Four Corners plans additional showcases later in the year, including a Community Showcase at the Totah Theater in November, offering local filmmakers further opportunities to screen work beyond the weeklong contest.