Albuquerque, New Mexico city councilors have unanimously greenlit a $1 million funding package for the highly anticipated Mesa Film Studios Project. This ambitious venture will transform 56 acres of land near Double Eagle II Airport into a state-of-the-art production hub, featuring six brand-new sound stages totaling 121,500 square feet, a backlot, production office space, and a permanent blue screen.

City officials championed the decision, emphasizing the project’s potential to solidify Albuquerque as a premier destination for filmmakers, boosting the local economy and creating jobs. The funding approval is the latest step in the development of Mesa Film Studios, which was first announced in April 2024.

Mesa Films is set to become the latest addition to New Mexico’s growing line of production facilities. Netflix bought ABQ Studios in 2018, and the studio is currently in the process of a 300-acre expansion. NBCUniversal signed a 10-year lease in June 2019 to turn an empty 80,000 square foot warehouse into a film studio with two soundstages, offices, and a mill. And Cinelease Studios’s Albuquerque outpost features five soundstages with 103,000 square feet.

Mesa Film Studios will fill a gap in facilities for the area as Netflix and NBCUniversal, the two largest studio complexes, already have full time occupants, leaving an opportunity for other production facilities to take on any new projects.

New Mexico has become a burgeoning player in the film industry in the past 15 years, largely buoyed by the success and notoriety that iconic TV shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have brought to the Land of Enchantment. Last year, the state proved that they could also handle big budget blockbuster films as well, capably acting as the primary shooting location for the Academy Award winning Oppenheimer.

Enthusiastic supporters of the initiative highlighted its promise for the city’s growing film sector, while a few community members raised concerns over the project’s proximity to nearby tribal lands. Addressing these concerns, officials confirmed that tribal governments were notified and consulted throughout the development process, ensuring open communication with all stakeholders.