Gallup Film & Media Expo Returns May 7–8, Showcasing Next Generation of Native Filmmakers
Shanti Benter

WHAT: The 4th Annual Gallup Film & Media Expo, hosted by the Native Professional Advancement Center (NPAC) and City of Gallup, is a free, two-day event celebrating emerging filmmakers and media creators. The Expo will serve as the main event of Gallup’s Economic Development Week, bringing together youth, industry professionals, and the community to highlight opportunities in New Mexico’s growing film and media industry.

Attendees can experience:

  • Live demonstration film set (Route 66 Diner), co-sponsored by CNM & CNM Props

  • Film screenings featuring emerging creators

  • Panel discussions with industry professionals

  • Exhibition booths, local arts & craft vendors, and food trucks

  • Live entertainment provided by Doghouse Media

Additionally, Halona Plaza will provide 200 meals on Friday (May 8, 2026) to support community participation.

WHO:

  • Native Professional Advancement Center (NPAC)

  • Central New Mexico College (CNM)

  • ATSIE 480

  • City of Gallup

  • Gallup McKinley County Schools

  • Film New Mexico

  • New Mexico Media Arts Collective

  • Red on the side

  • Doghouse Media

  • Students, educators, and emerging filmmakers

  • Industry professionals and community members

WHEN: May 7–8, 2026

WHERE: Red Rock Park Convention Center | 825 Outlaw Rd., Church Rock, NM 87301

WHY IT MATTERS: The Expo connects Native youth and local communities to real-world career pathways in film and media—while also contributing to Gallup’s broader economic development efforts by supporting local businesses, artists, and workforce opportunities.

REGISTRATION: https://www.npacnm.org/gallup-film---media-expo

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Interviews with NPAC leadership, partners, and participants

  • Visuals of the Route 66 Diner demonstration film set

  • Youth filmmakers and live production activity

  • Vendor marketplace, food trucks, and community engagement

  • Live entertainment and cultural atmosphere

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Founded in 1961, the Native Professional Advancement Center, powered by the National Indian Youth Council (NIYC), has been a pioneering force in advocating for the rights and well-being of Native American communities. Born out of a desire to see a world where Native peoples can freely exercise their rights to self-determination and sovereignty, we have spent over six decades dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of Native Americans across the United States.