‘The Santa Assist’ to film in Las Cruces

“The Santa Assist” a Christmas romantic comedy will begin shooting in Las Cruces late October through November. The feel-good holiday story starring Eric Roberts features Santa Claus sending his reluctant cowboy cousin Colton on a mission to bring holiday cheer to a small town in New Mexico.

He falls in love with Natalie, a single mom raising a deaf son. The film is directed by Ross Kagan Marks (“Walking With Herb,” “The Twilight Of The Golds,” “Homage”) and written by Mary Haarmeyer and Judy Pennell. Produced by Haarmeyer, Marks of Rio Road Productions and Kirk Roos of Badlands Features, the film is a co-production with New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute.

In addition to Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Roberts (“Runaway Train,” “Star 80,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Expendables”); the film stars Eric’s wife, Eliza Roberts, (“National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “The Tasmanian Devil,” “Doctor Who: The Movie”); Johnathan Stoddard (“Furry Little Christmas,” “Somewhere In Montana,” “The Young and the Restless”); and Alexandra Harris (“God’s Not Dead: We The People,” Hellraiser: Judgment,” “The Veil”).

The film will employ 26 NMSU students, and is an all–New Mexico production with the writers, director and producers all residing in the state.

“Making this film in Southern New Mexico is important to me,” Marks said. “It is my goal to grow the film industry here. The best way to do that is making films. The locations, crew and people in Southern New Mexico make filmmaking a pure joy. I am excited to bring another film to my hometown and state. Over 20 New Mexico State University students will gain real world experience and on-the-job training making this film. That makes the film a huge success even before it is released.”

The film is looking for extras. If you are interested in being in the movie, please contact the production at thesantaassist@gmail.com.