FOR FILMMAKER RACHEL BARRETT, the Tucumcari Film Festival is like an old-school double feature. She gets to show her movies at the Historic Odeon Theatre and the Tucumcari Railroad Depot alongside more than 20 others. Plus, the Blaine, Washington, resident gets to do it where she has family. She first participated in 2025 and returns this year with three films—The Legacy, a Western period drama; If Anybody Finds This, a Western horror flick; and Curse of Goat Creek, a Western comedy—for the festival, which runs May 1–2. The intimate showing features emerging and established filmmakers from around the world. We talked with Barrett to get a glimpse into her work and this year’s festival.
New Mexico Magazine: How did you get into making movies?
Rachel Barrett: I have always been a writer. I used to write novel manuscripts, but I never published anything. I had a few people tell me my stories were so vivid, I should write movies. I didn’t know anything about writing screenplays, but I stumbled into screenwriting when I decided to try a new format to fix some problems I was having with my novel writing. I’ve always loved art and drama, so I ended up taking some classes in indie film, microbudget filmmaking. I got the advice, “Make what you want to make, and don’t wait for Hollywood.”
NMM: What kinds of movies did you make at first?
RB: We live right next to the Canadian border, and I have a farm with goats and horses. Some friends and I decided to make a Western, and some fairy-tale princess unicorn movies.
The Tucumcari Film Festival includes panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals. Photograph courtesy of the Tucumcari Film Festival.
NMM: What made you want to come and do the Tucumcari Film Festival?
RB: I have family in Tucumcari, so I was looking for film festivals based in the area to be able to visit family.
NMM: How does it feel to be a filmmaker participating in a festival like this?
RB: It’s really great. I tend to have imposter syndrome, and I feel my stuff is so amateur and doesn’t deserve to rub shoulders with real movies. But as I talk to other filmmakers, everybody feels that way. I see their films and I am super impressed and blown away, and they compliment me on my films. It’s been a process of confidence building for me to participate in festivals and meet people at the same level or a lot more skilled or who are just starting out.
NMM: What makes you want to return to the Tucumcari festival?
RB: It is fun. They have a really great lineup with features and shorts—and shorts that were really beautifully done. They offer a lot of space for beginners and students, and it was so special to see what the students were making. It’s super laid-back, everyone is friendly, and there’s plenty of time to speak with other filmmakers. For me, the meaningful things are being able to connect with other filmmakers in my genre.
