September Production Pulse: Workshops, Festivals & A New Studio Fuel El Paso Video Production Scene
El Paso video production professionals have plenty to circle on their calendars this month, with hands-on training, a major festival, and a brand-new studio space all set to energize the local creative economy.
Hands-On Skill-Building: 48HFP Workshop (Sept 22)
Bazaar Models (4020 N. Mesa) hosts the 48 Hour Film Project’s free pre-production workshop at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept 22. The evening covers genre drawing, required elements, and lightning-round pitching tips that help teams deliver a complete short in just 48 hours. Early-bird team registration ($158) closes Sept 9, with the regular fee rising to $178 until Sept 23. Organizers say workshop attendance consistently boosts “Best Film” scores, so even veterans squeeze in a refresher. For gear-rental houses and DITs, the event marks an annual spike in last-minute bookings—plan inventory accordingly.
Spotlight Event: El Paso Film Festival (Sept 25–27)
Set across downtown venues such as the Plaza Theatre and El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Film Festival (EPFF) rolls out its 2025 edition from Thursday through Saturday, Sept 25–27. More than 60 narrative, documentary, and border-region shorts will screen alongside special features; celebrity filmmaker Kevin Smith headlines a live conversation on opening night. Cash awards totaling $5,000, an expanded industry mixer, and cross-border programming with Juárez partners underscore EPFF’s growing regional impact. Local line-producers note that festival week reliably yields corporate-video one-offs—brand story shoots timed to leverage visiting crews—so keep call sheets flexible.
At-a-Glance Dates
- Sept 22 — 48HFP Workshop (Bazaar Models)
- Sept 25 — EPFF Opening Night + Kevin Smith Q&A
- Sept 26 — EPFF Museum-of-Art free screenings
- Sept 27 — EPFF Awards & closing gala
Infrastructure Update: Studio 4 Productions
Downtown’s creative grid gets a boost as Studio 4 Productions finishes build-out of a multi-booth production floor in the Abdou Building. Announced via Instagram on Aug 29, the facility pairs pre-lit cyc walls with podcast-ready audio suites and is courting ad agencies that previously jumped to Las Cruces or Albuquerque for turnkey space. With soft-opening teasers pointing to mid-September, booking inquiries have already surfaced from e-commerce brands eyeing holiday-campaign shoots. The upgrade means smaller crews can stay local—reducing travel-day costs and retaining spend within the El Paso metro.
Why It Matters for Crews & Clients
- Talent Pool Expansion: Workshops and festival labs help editors, gaffers, and line-producers sharpen skills, keeping competitive talent in-market.
- Economic Ripple: Hotel blocks and equipment rentals surge during EPFF week, injecting fresh revenue into vendors that can bridge slower quarters.
- Creative Choice: Studio 4’s booths give social-content teams a controlled environment—critical during El Paso’s windy fall afternoons.
- Cross-Border Synergy: EPFF’s bi-national spotlight and I-10 location dovetail with Texas Film Commission incentives, making the region attractive for co-productions.
Conclusion
With a jam-packed September featuring a 48HFP skill-share, the El Paso Film Festival’s red carpets, and Studio 4’s forthcoming launch, the Sun City is doubling down on its creative credentials. Whether you’re scouting stages, hunting crew, or polishing your short for a festival premiere, staying plugged into local events this month could be the edge that takes your next El Paso video production from good to unforgettable.
