While others tell everyday stories, comedian Jared Ostrom brings a fresh, unconventional style that has made him a standout performer.

Royal Wood III has grown wiser in the Land of Comedy. Photo Credit: Rusty Rutherford. Ask Royal Wood III how to become a comedian, and don't expect a simple roadmap. After more than a decade of performing across New Mexico, hosting events, producing shows, and recently releasing his first comedy special, he's learned something many artists eventually discover: no two careers follow the same path.

Stephen Conn on the set of "Better Call Saul." For many moviegoers, background performers blend into the scenery. They're the crowd in the stadium, the patrons in a restaurant, or the faces passing by on a busy city street. Rarely do audiences stop to think about the people who help create the worlds seen on screen. For New Mexico actor and writer Stephen Conn, however, background work has never been about standing in the background—it's been an opportunity to witness filmmak

In a city that has become synonymous with film and television production, the work happening behind the scenes is just as important as what audiences see on screen. At the center of the effort is the Albuquerque Film Office, a vital resource to connect filmmakers, crew members, and the local community to opportunities in one of New Mexico’s fastest-growing industries.

New Mexico continues to shape both culture and economy, and one Albuquerque-based studio is ensuring local talent thrives in the industry. Story Quest Studios is more than a training space. It’s a launchpad for creatives ready to take their ideas from concept to screen.

Finding your purpose doesn’t always happen on the first try. Sometimes it takes time, experience, and knowing when to change directions when the right opportunity appears. For Carissa Mitchell, that moment didn’t come until later in life—but when it did, it changed everything.

After nearly four decades behind the microphone, comedian Honest John is not slowing down — he is refining. With 37 years of stand-up experience and a perspective shaped by decades of cultural change, the veteran performer is bringing a show to Albuquerque on April 18 that promises sharp observations, political bite, and the kind of authenticity that only comes from a lifetime on stage.

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival officially announced this year’s award winners during a ceremony held at The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah, celebrating the artists and films that defined one of the most memorable editions in the Festival’s history. With the final day of the Festival approaching on February 1, Sundance paused to recognize stories that challenged, inspired, and reflected the world through fresh cinematic voices.