It'll be more than just boxing and a Judy Blume novel brought to the big screen when UNM-Valencia Campus' 3rd annual New Mexico Film Festival kicks off. The UNM-Valencia Campus event will showcase "Tapia" and "Tiger Eyes," along with seven other films at its Student Community Center on Thursday, Feb. 27.

With the spotlight pointed directly on New Mexico filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and landscapes, the Film Festival will also host a panel discussion with Ann Lerner of the Albuquerque Film Office, Dirk Norris of the New Mexico Film Foundation, and film historian and journalist Jeff Berg. Other panelists will include Justin Romine, Bernadine Santisteva and Moises Gonzalez.

"Tapia," directed by Eddie Alcazar, is an 88-minute documentary that chronicles the life of New Mexico's own legendary boxer, Johnny Tapia, and the rise and fall of the five-time world champion. Tapia, who struggled with drug problems throughout his career, was found dead at 45 in his Albuquerque home on May 27, 2012. He finished his boxing career with a 59-5-2 record. The movie starts at 5 p.m.

Blume's novel, "Tiger Eyes," directed by Blume's son, Lawrence Blume, stars Willa Holland as Davey, and New Mexico's own, Elise Eberle as Jane Albertson and Tatanka Means as Wolf/Martin Ortiz. "Tiger Eyes" was filmed across The Land of Enchantment, including Los Alamos, Albuquerque, Puye Pueblo, Española and Santa Clara Pueblo. The movie begins at 10:30 a.m.

Other films to be shown at the Valencia Campus in the Tomé Hill area include "Wolf Dog Tales," "American Road," "Princess Marisol and the Moon Thieves," "A Tale of Two Poets," "Made," "Sky Burial" and "Same Same, But Different."

The first movie begins at 8:30 a.m. and will continue through 6:30 p.m. The 3rd annual New Mexico Film Festival is free and open to the public.
For more information or help with directions, call (505) 925-8600.