‘We’re all in this together’: New Mexico’s film industry strikes in fight for survival

Film industry's importance grows in state as record 109 productions filmed across New Mexico in 2022

On a sweltering Wednesday morning last week, hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Netflix's studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in support of the American actors' union on strike.

The strike - hundreds of miles from Hollywood - is a sign of the growing importance of the film industry for the south-western state. Although it was barely 9am, the temperature was already hovering around 90F (32C). Still, Sag-Aftra was far from alone on the picket line: members of the writers, directors, crew and background actors guilds had all turned out in support.