About the Grant Program

Two core objectives drive the New Mexico Documentary Incubator Grants Program (NMDIG). The first is to provide financial and technical support to emerging and early-career documentary filmmakers across New Mexico. The grants help enable documentarians to develop their creative filmmaking talent with an emphasis on building interest and capacity in documentaries that address community issues and challenges. The second objective is to sustain the incubation of documentary filmmaking talent by providing a clearing house for supportive resources and a forum for professional critique and exchange. Thanks to our collaborators, in addition to the grant funding the selected filmmakers are provided access to studio space, technical training, and advice from well-established New Mexico film related professionals and institutions.

In 2024 NMDIG funded four documentary filmmakers. All were emerging, under 30 years old, had completed some documentary work but still delivered impressive talent in their story telling and technical ability. This early initiative clearly highlighted the emerging and early-career documentary talent in New Mexico.

In 2025 we plan to fund between six and eight documentary filmmakers.

Donor contributions provide an opportunity to support individual documentary filmmakers by providing unrestricted cash grants, education, and experience for exceptional artists.

Founders and Program Directors

Greg Polk

Greg is a retired urban planner and international development specialist turned independent documentary filmmaker. Past projects include New Mexicans Taking Action on Plastic Waste, Building Community in Albuquerque’s International District, and Embroidered Connections about the artisans of Bukhara Uzbekistan preparing for the Santa Fe Folk Art Market. Greg is a former Peace Corps Volunteer, was housing development director for the City of Albuquerque, and for 20 years his international development work ranged from Africa, Asia, Central Europe and the Middle East.

Rebecca Black

Rebecca is currently Vice President of 516 Arts a non-collecting contemporary arts center located in Albuquerque with a particular interest in the role of art in reconciliation and conflict resolution. 516 ARTS is dedicated to fostering a multifaceted and inclusive arts community through its exhibitions and public programs along with the following ongoing initiatives. Previously she spent 25 years working for the US Agency for International and served in Cambodia, Mali, India, Afghanistan, South Africa and Poland.

2025 Jurors

Felicia Masias

Co-Founder, Producer, Director - Sopapilla Productions

Felicia is an Albuquerque-based filmmaker with over 10 years of experience in film, television, and new media. She has worked as a producer, director, production coordinator, actress, writer, and both 1st and 2nd assistant director. In 2020, Felicia and her husband founded Sopapilla Productions, an Albuquerque-based video production company, where she oversees every step of production from concept to completion. Sopapilla Productions has produced and directed over 20 mini-documentaries and TV shows, spotlighting local businesses and artists across Albuquerque. As an emerging filmmaker, Felicia aspires to use her platform to continue giving a voice to businesses and individuals who need to be heard.
Tiffany Cole

Executive Director - New Mexico Film Foundation

Born in Los Angeles, Tiffany began acting in theatre and earned her B.A. from USC. Now based in Albuquerque, Tiffany is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Film Foundation. Former faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, Tiffany’s notable film roles include “Sharknado” and “The Last Girl”, as well as the award winning “True Blue”. She is finishing her feature film script, “SOS Paperclip”, which she is set to direct, based on her directing-debut short, signed for world-wide distribution after the festival circuit. Member of SAG-AFTRA.
Dominic Fraire

Filmmaker and Conceptual Artist

Originally from Las Cruces, Dominic is a graduate of the University of New Mexico’s Film and Digital Arts program. His film projects strive to create a relationship of exploration with the audience, one where they can walk hand in hand into the depths of human understanding and experience and what it means to live life emotionally. In 2024 Dominic was a NMDIG grant recipient for his film Terria XO: A Journey of Self-Discovery": a documentary that invites audiences on a profound exploration of Terria's transformative odyssey within the realm of a trans-feminine identity.
Candace Neu

Executive Director - Catharsis Media

Candice is an award-winning director and producer, and the Executive Director of the New Mexico Education Channel & owner of Catharsis Media. In June 2023, she was nationally recognized by the Alliance for Community Media with the "Best in Overall Excellence in Educational Access Television" award for her impactful work on the channel. Candice has also been nominated for an Emmy for her role as a producer on the acclaimed series Bands of Enchantment, which has won both Emmy and Telly Awards. She is best known as the host of The Neu Agenda, a popular talk show now in its sixth season, broadcasting across the Southwest and recently expanding to New York City.
George Richardson

Artist

George is a multimedia artist based in Albuquerque. He is also a member of IATSE local 480 and has worked a day laborer in Art and Set Decoration departments on productions both large and small here in New Mexico. When not working on personal projects, he is also involved in day-to-day operations at several prop houses in ABQ and Santa Fe.
Carey O’Connell

Owner/Founder, Producer - Albuquerque Film and Media Incubator

Carey is a creative producer and small business owner who was raised in Albuquerque, NM. She is the owner of AFMI Productions, a dynamic commercial and creative production company that supports the workforce and career development programs of The Albuquerque Film and Media Incubator. Her focus is on establishing sustainable ownership of the film and media industry in New Mexico through the development of Creative Producers and providing training spaces to broaden an experienced workforce.
Brad Stoddard

Filmmaker and Film Editor - Stoddard Communications
Brad has passion for creating content for Independent Film and Television. As a producer, director, editor, writer, cinematographer and teacher, Brad has worked with some incredible and talented people from around the globe. Brad's experience working in a variety of roles has earned him accolades from his film industry peers. Brad is the owner of Stoddard Communications, a New Mexico based production/postproduction company. He is past President of the New Mexico Post Alliance.