By Sheila Appleby Williams

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Oscar-winning actor/director/filmmaker, conservationist, Robert Redford, lent his megawatt star power and film festival acumen to the socially and environmentally conscious Albuquerque Film & Media Experience this past week.

AFME’s weeklong itinerary showcased independent local and international movies, student-created digital media, art exhibits, film events as well as a series of “Intimate Conversations” with socially conscious and relevant actors, directors and producers at local venues.

Native American actor, Wes Studi (Dances with Wolves, Last of the

Mohicans, Geronimo) was interviewed in the backroom of O’Niell’s Irish pub by Breaking Bad’s Steven Michael Quezada and had some hard hitting responses to questions about Native Americans in film and the media.

We caught a screening of Affair of the Heart, a surprisingly touching look at the 80’s pop star, Rick Springfield (Jesse’s Girl) and the emotional connection with his devoted fans. Director/producer, Sylvia Caminer, spoke to the audience at the Lobo Theatre, about her choice of subject (her film partner is a die hard Springfield fan) and the effort involved in creating this multi-award winning documentary.

“We wanted this to be an experience for the entire community,” said Lainie Sevante Quirk, co-founder of AFME.  Quirk said she and co-founder, hospitality industry guru, Ivan Wiener (former Executive Producer of the Albuquerque Film Festival) worked on the project for nearly eight months.

Sevante Quirk said the idea stemmed from her travels around the world and seeing how TV and film put Albuquerque on the map. “I would tell people that I met overseas that I was from Albuquerque and they would immediately connect it to ‘Breaking Bad,’ ” she says. “We saw this as a chance to keep Albuquerque in the global spotlight and try to make amazing alliances with other countries.”

Friday nights “An Evening with Robert Redford and Special Guests” was a sold out event (at $100 per person) and featured an informal interview and conversation with Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Art.  The two Bobs have worked together for the past 10 years and their camaraderie and mutual respect forged a very relaxed dialogue. 

The week long festival included industry-focused panel discussions, intimate conversations (guest interviews), after parties, receptions, lounge and happy hour schmoozing and music performances.  

Thomas Dolby (She blinded me with Silence), kicked off the AFME with excerpts from his first film, The Invisible Lighthouse, followed by a live performance at the LOBO Theatre.

German American Artist, Sibylle Szaggars Redford (wife of Robert), gave an art performance “The Way of the Rain,” in collaboration with Icelandic musician David Thor Jonsson, followed by a Pulizer Prize winning essay reading by Mr. Redford.

Its not surprising, following the success of this year’s inaugural event, that Ms. Quirk is already making plans for next year’s film experience, “We want to create a great relationship with various countries,” she says. “Next year, we’re looking to add a lot more international films and programming.”