LAS CRUCES — Independent filmmaker Andrew Jara has added another locally produced title to Southern New Mexico’s growing arts scene. His new horror short, The Shadow, is now available for free streaming on the Jara Films YouTube channel.
The 10‑minute film was shot inside the historic, abandoned Doña Ana County courthouse, a building that has become a favorite backdrop for local creators seeking an authentic, unsettling atmosphere. Jara, who writes and directs his own projects, says the location’s creaking hallways and empty courtroom added a “suitably creepy” feel that enhances the supernatural story.
Plot and themes
The Shadow follows a night‑shift security guard, played by Las Cruces actress Valerie Alene, as she patrols the old jailhouse. When a dark, shape‑shifting presence appears, she tries to ignore it, only to watch the shadow grow more threatening. “The story is basically about the dangers of ignoring something you know is bad,” Jara explained in a news release on Oct. 21. “With everything going on now, it’s easy to feel discouraged, but it’s more important than ever to face the darkness instead of looking away.”
Local talent and production partners
Alene, who previously collaborated with Jara on the award‑winning feature The Empty Space, praised the experience of working in the courthouse. “We had a great time shooting in the old jailhouse,” she said. “Creepy location!” The short also features performances by local actors Maura Moreno and Nora Brown.
The project was produced by Jara’s own company, Nothing Ventured Media, in partnership with Las Cruces‑based IShape Productions. Both companies have been instrumental in bringing regional stories to wider audiences.
Festival run and upcoming screenings
Before its online debut, The Shadow screened at several festivals, including London’s Docklens Film Festival, New Mexico’s Sovereign Lens Film Festival, and California’s CalaSCAREus Film Festival. The film’s festival circuit helped raise its profile and showcase Las Cruces talent on an international stage.
Local fans can also see the short on the big screen. The filmmakers have scheduled a special screening at Premiere Cinemas in El Paso on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. Ticket details have not yet been released.
Jara’s recent work
Jara’s previous feature, The Empty Space, earned Best of the Fest at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival and secured distribution on streaming platforms such as Screambox and Tubi. His other feature films include The Last Ones and Borderland. He is currently completing post‑production on another short, Followed, which promises to continue his focus on suspenseful storytelling.
By leveraging a historic local landmark and collaborating with regional talent, Jara’s latest effort underscores the vitality of the independent film community in Las Cruces and the broader Southern New Mexico area. The release of The Shadow adds another culturally rich offering to the region’s artistic output, inviting both residents and horror enthusiasts nationwide to experience a piece of New Mexico’s cinematic imagination.
Original reporting: Organ Mountain News (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County) — read the source article.
