LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Academy Award-winning actress, director and writer Helen Hunt joined the 10th annual Las Cruces International Film Festival April 9-13. Hunt also visited New Mexico State University on April 10 to share insights from her film career.
The student-run festival, founded by NMSU associate professor Ross Marks of the Creative Media Institute, featured events and screenings from Wednesday through Sunday. This year, Hunt received the Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Award, making her the second woman to do so in the festival’s 10 years.
Growing up, Hunt said she loved “the room where people were telling stories” and the safe space theaters provided for experiencing emotions. Hunt started acting at 9 years old and prioritized strong scripts when pursuing roles as her career grew.
“I’d rather have a small part in something wonderful than a big part in something that I don’t love,” Hunt said.
This discernment led Hunt to star in the film “As Good As It Gets,” which was screened at the festival and earned her multiple awards, including the 1998 Oscar for Best Actress.
Her most cherished work, however, is an independent film she wrote and directed. She urged attendees to watch it on Amazon Prime.
It is titled “Then She Found Me.”
“When I die, don’t have a funeral, just play that movie,” Hunt once said to her daughter.
It took her 10 years to complete this project, and she almost gave up due to financing issues, but the process taught her a valuable lesson in achieving success.
“Don’t quit,” Hunt said. “Know it’ll be very up and down. The up doesn’t last that long, usually, so your love of the thing can’t be dependent on that. Loving the thing itself is key.”
Local actor Brad Martinez has attended the film festival a few times and left the discussion with Hunt feeling inspired.
“It kind of gives a feeling of like, you know, Las Cruces is a real film city,” Martinez said. “It’s exciting.”
Despite many people looking at Los Angeles as a city to further their film careers, Hunt thinks Las Cruces is a great spot to remain.
“You are living in one of the places that supports independent filmmaking,” Hunt said.
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