Picture credit: Director Patrick Rea and Herb Jackson Jr in The Last Butterflies (2023) Photo by Tara St. Charles TheLastButterfliesFilm
The award-winning drama short, ‘The Last Butterflies’ has been named in the official selection for the Mindfield Film Festival in Albuquerque later this month – and the appearance will be all the sweeter for University of New Mexico alumnus Herb Jackson Jr. He served as associate producer for the film and also has a role on screen as a priest.
The inclusion is the latest in a string of accolades for ‘The Last Butterflies’ and comes hot on the heels of eight awards nominations at the San Diego Film Festival. Already a firm favourite at festivals across America this year, ‘The Last Butterflies’ follows the journey of a young mum navigating survival with her family in the aftermath of multiple environmental disasters.
Written by Whitney Wegman-Wood, directed by Patrick Rea, and with Herb Jackson Jr. as associate producer, the film also stars Cooper Andrews. It will be screened on Saturday, August 24th at 6.00 pm at Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106) with filmmaker questions and answers to follow.
The Albuquerque screening will be a particularly personal event for actor, pilot, and producer Herb Jackson Jr., who has welcomed the opportunity to reflect on his experiences as a Lobo alumnus.
He says, “This screening hits home with me. When we screened in Los Angeles, it was the “local boy does good” story; Albuquerque takes that to a new level. I spent my college years at UNM and was a proud member of the varsity track team. The university experience on campus is invaluable, and I’m sure it has profoundly shaped the person I am today.
“Venturing out on your own while tackling intellectual and social challenges, and for me, competing as a member of the UNM track team, laid the groundwork for what lay ahead in life. It’s important to note that it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I encountered numerous setbacks and heartaches in all aspects of my life then. Little did I know then that those very setbacks and disappointments would become the driving force behind my present success.
“I deeply treasure my time in Albuquerque. It’s where my aviation career began, and I’m grateful for the lifelong friendships I forged with individuals I’m still in touch with today. I’m excited to witness the audience’s reaction to our film again, hopefully in the company of old friends and many new faces.”
The annual Mindfield Film Festival showcases features, shorts, and music videos from a global collective of filmmakers. It is known for celebrating independent, new, and alternative talent.
To access the screening schedule and to purchase tickets, visit: https://mindfieldff.com.
For more information on ‘The Last Butterflies’ visit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22770182
To find out more about Herb Jackson Jr. and the projects he’s currently working on, visit: https://www.herbjacksonjr.com
