El Raton Media Works

01/08/2026

This past fall, El Raton Media Works launched a new afterschool cybersecurity program at Raton Intermediate School with support from The Encantado Foundation.

–What we planned: build a CyberPatriot team and expand access to STEM learning for local youth.
–What we did: launched the Raton Cyber Tigers, registered for the national CyberPatriot program, and held weekly hands-on sessions—then competed in a national round.
–What happened: students gained practical skills, and two students earned free laptops (with protective cases + wireless mice) to support learning at home.

Big thanks to our implementors and partners: Jose Lopez (instructor/mentor), (RIS After-School/Enrichment Coordinator), and / CCubedTraining (regional CyberPatriot support), plus the Emergent Campus Trinidad network in southern Colorado. And huge gratitude to The Encantado Foundation for making this possible.

Please sign up for our January - May program for High School and Middle School students now!
https://www.elratonmediaworks.org/workshops

01/06/2026

Cool opportunity with New Mexico Entertainment Magazine

01/05/2026

Read this week's blog "The 101 of Robotics Learning"

https://www.elratonmediaworks.org/northern-new-mexico-film-tv-blog/robotics-101

And for local youth, join the El Raton Media Works' youth Cybersecurity/Robotics/AI Team! Students and parents interested in signing up to join the team should visit our website to learn more: www.elratonmediaworks.org/cyber-security

January 1, 2026 Robotics is not a single discipline; it is an exhilarating intersection of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. For beginners, this interdisciplinary nature can feel overwhelming.

01/03/2026

The brand new art gallery and emporium in Raton, NM is finally open! We are so excited to have more arts and creative people and spaces in our town! Welcome!! Meditating Monkey Art Emporium

12/30/2025

Grant Opportunity for Short Filmmakers

Pleased to share a new partnership as a part of our $50,000 Short Film Production Grant. The Pan Up Productions team will be available to provide or facilitate services as needed for the winning filmmaker (services can include payroll, insurance, production strategy, cash flow management, deal memos and contracts, and more).

Visit bit.ly/ShortFilmProductionGrant to learn more.

12/27/2025

We celebrate our students who very successfully completed the Cybersecurity program and earned laptops for their efforts! We invite all youth to join the El Raton Media Works' youth Cybersecurity Team at Raton Intermediate School and now at the High School ! There are high-paying, in-demand careers in cybersecurity, and this program teaches youth the fundamentals for a national competition in a fun and interactive way.

Students and parents interested in signing up to join the team should visit our website to learn more: www.elratonmediaworks.org/cyber-security.

The 2025 program was available thanks to the funding of the Encantado Foundation, and in 2026, the program is supported by the NM STEM Innovation Network!

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays!

As 2025 comes to a close, all of us at El Raton Media Works want to thank you for being part of another incredible year for the Northern New Mexico media community.

To celebrate a year of historic growth and creativity in the "Land of Action," we’ve compiled our 2025 Year in Review. From groundbreaking local initiatives to massive studio hits, we look back at the achievements that defined the Land of Enchantment this year.

Visit our blog at:
www.elratonmediaworks.org/northern-new-mexico-film-tv-blog/nm-film-in-2025

Look forward to seeing y'all next year!

Best Films Made in New Mexico in 2025

12/18/2025

Did you know there's many types of Western Films in the genre? Read all about it here!

From classic tales of good versus evil to psychedelic journeys and sci-fi mashups, the Western has proven to be a remarkably adaptable canvas for storytelling.

12/14/2025

Great Grant Opportunity!

New Mexico filmmakers, get ready.

The New Mexico Documentary Incubator Grant will open applications for 2026 funding on January 15. If you’re a local documentary filmmaker, now is the time to start getting your materials ready.

This program has awarded significant funding to support New Mexico storytellers. Don’t miss your chance.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/fzGv50XIGNU

12/11/2025

Check out this week's blog: Essential Skills for Background Actors

December 11, 2025 This week we had the excitement in Raton of our historic streets and local hangouts transforming into the vibrant, moving backdrop for a major production. When a film like The Chaperones sets up shop, our townspeople get a front-row seat—and sometimes, a spot in the shot—as