Mateo Frazier is a seasoned film and television producer and the current Acting Executive Director of the New Mexico Media Arts Collective. Actively involved in the New Mexico film industry since 2005, he has contributed to over 20 short films and 7 feature films, and is a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), reflecting his commitment to high-quality production.
In 2012, Mateo co-wrote and directed the award-winning thriller BLAZE YOU OUT, starring Elizabeth Peña and Raoul Trujillo, which was later distributed by Lionsgate. The following year, he produced Drunktown's Finest with Chad Burris and Executive Producer Robert Redford. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014 and garnered multiple international awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at HBO's OUTFEST.
In 2014, Mateo served as associate producer on the film Bare, which starred Dianna Agron, Paz de la Huerta, and Gary Farmer. Bare premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015.
Mateo holds a Master’s degree in Media Studies from The New School and has contributed to academia as a former Associate Professor and Chair at Northern New Mexico College, where he developed film-related courses and authored an FAA UAS-CTI recognized drone technology program. He has also lectured at prestigious institutions like UCLA and IAIA and served as CO-PI on a National Science Foundation, Geo-Pathways Grant focused on interdisciplinary STEAM education.
In addition to his professional work, Mateo is committed to environmental stewardship, serving as the Mayordomo for Acequia del Ancon, a role that reflects his dedication to community and sustainability.
Elissa Kannon's commitment to media arts training and development resonates throughout her distinctive career. After a successful arc managing and training for real estate development startups, Elissa pursued her passion for film and TV, launching her career as an independent producer. Inspired by her mother’s sage advice that a thriving film and television career isn't limited to California and New York, Elissa devoted herself to the New Mexico production scene.
Encouraged by the local media arts explosion, she embarked on a dynamic career as a production coordinator for acclaimed shows like Breaking Bad, and as a production supervisor for feature films like Sicario: Day of the Soldado. In 2019, Elissa accepted the role to serve as the training coordinator for IATSE Local 480, contributing significantly to the successful launch and stabilization of its training program. Elissa is particularly passionate about production safety, a focus of her skills development training.
Her other creative pursuits include flamenco dancing, theatre acting and directing, and story consulting. Elissa is honored to now serve the New Mexico Media Arts Collective and is committed to expanding training opportunities for New Mexico's emerging media arts professionals. She looks forward to collaborating with local creative partners to solidify New Mexico as the premier destination for film, television, and media production.
Mary Armijo works primarily through the Snelling Staffing and Recruiting Agency to provide support for the New Mexico Media Arts Collective. Her primary responsibilities include handling financial documents and reviewing data through EDD (Economic Development Department) and CNM Ingenuity reporting systems. Mary also performs budget analysis and implementation, reviews financial information for accuracy and compliance, manages accounting transactions, prepares budget forecasts, and provides financial information necessary for informed corporate decisions. She serves as the invoicing liaison between the New Mexico Media Arts Collective, its staff, and vendors.
Mary retired from the State of New Mexico after 24 years of service, where she held titles including co-chief financial officer, audit lead, and accountant auditor.
A bilingual native New Mexican, Mary has lived in the state her entire life. Outside of work, Mary channels her attention to detail into her hobbies of gardening, landscaping, and salsa and country western dancing. She is also an avid filmgoer!
Isabella Contarino is an aspiring director and editor from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has been steeped in politics and media from a young age, which fostered a love for storytelling and turning a vision into reality. Isabella joined a specialized broadcasting and film program in high school and later attended American University in Washington, DC, where she learned everything from crafting a scene to wrapping a production.
Her first professional production involved producing a trailer and short film about Eastern Kentucky’s Rugged Red Half-Marathon. She followed that experience as a production assistant on the “Ditch Mitch” political campaign ad series and a short film in the well-regarded Santa Fe International Film Festival.
Isabella first joined the New Mexico Media Arts Collective as executive assistant to the director before becoming media project evaluator, and she’s excited to dive into her new role as Events, Photography, and Social Media Coordinator.
Izabel Sena is a proud alumnus of New Mexico State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders with a minor in linguistic studies. While pursuing her degree, she served as a parent liaison at Ohkay Owingeh Community School, where she honed her communication, relationship-building, and project management skills through planning school-based and community-centered events.
Initially planning a career in education, Izabel quickly discovered her passion for event coordination and community engagement, which inspired her to focus on event management. Izabel is dedicated to fostering positive and collaborative environments, thriving on creating memorable and meaningful experiences for everyone she works with.
Luis Peña-Alvarez is an Albuquerque filmmaker with four years of experience working on major film and TV productions. In that time, Luis developed a diverse skill set, which he applies to his own projects. Raised in a Mexican immigrant household, Luis is committed to creating films that authentically represent his broad Hispanic/Latino community in New Mexico, both through on-screen storytelling and by fostering diversity behind the scenes.
He has produced several short films—some of which he wrote and directed—and served as executive producer on the independent feature film The Zuzax. Recently, Luis mentored student filmmakers through Film Prize Junior New Mexico, guiding Albuquerque’s middle and high school students through the entire filmmaking process. He believes his role at the New Mexico Media Arts Collective will further contribute to the growth of New Mexico's filmmaking industry at all levels.
Ross Kagan Marks is an award-winning director, writer, and producer. He has worked with Academy Award winners Al Pacino, Brendan Fraser, and Faye Dunaway, as well as Edward James Olmos and George Lopez. His more than sixteen films have won awards at festivals throughout the world, including Sundance, Cleveland, Chicago, and Berlin. The Executive Director and founder of the Las Cruces International Film Festival, Ross is a professor at New Mexico State University. He is a recipient of the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.