10/01/2026
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Michael Anthony Kurtz Nearly five months after graduating, University of New Mexico alum Michael Anthony Kurtz has now earned nine awards between two short films, Letter to the Blind and Abby, which he wrote, directed, and produced during his final year at UNM. Both films showcase Kurtz and his team’s ambition to push the boundaries of indie filmmaking, from shooting one entirely on 16mm film to traveling to Washington, D.C. to partially film the other.
Now graduated, Kurtz works full-time as the managing member of his production company, Kurtz Studios, where he continues to make films with crews made up primarily of UNM students.
Just three years ago, Kurtz picked up a camera for the first time and began his filmmaking career from page one. Today, he attributes much of his recent success and recognition to the close-knit team he has built around him.
“They work so hard,” he said. “But we’ve also built up a lot of trust and experience. When my cast or crew have a gut feeling, I know I can trust them to lead me in the right direction. I’m lucky to have fallen into knowing the right people.”
In May, with the help of the UNM Film Department, Kurtz Studios hosted its second annual Red Carpet World Premiere at the Student Union Building, welcoming 110 guests. The event featured the two award-winning films, as well as a trailer for the upcoming film Meeting Yourself, which was screened as part of the UNM Film Capstone Event and received the Panavision New Filmmaker Equipment Grant.
Looking ahead, Kurtz is directing his final two shorts in New Mexico, Logan’s Memory and Maya Is Gone, before moving to Los Angeles next summer to pursue filmmaking in Hollywood.
Reflecting on the role UNM has played in his career, Kurtz said, “The support has been unmatched. Not only does the Film Department set you up with the right tools and state-of-the-art facilities at Mesa Del Sol, but it also connects you with incredibly talented and creative people who are also starting their careers. Having come from a small town in Minnesota, this is your sign to go chase your dreams. Nothing is unobtainable if you believe and work hard enough.”
