New Mexico’s craft beer culture meets heartfelt comedy in Brewmance, a locally brewed rom-com premiering April 9 at the Las Cruces International Film Festival.
With an all-star indie cast, a homegrown crew, and themes of resilience and community, Brewmance is poised to become a new regional favorite.
Led by a dynamic ensemble including Kennedy McMann (Nancy Drew), Alex Moffat (Saturday Night Live), Zoe Colletti (Only Murders in the Building), Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead), and Joel de la Fuente (The Man in the High Castle), the film dives into the messy, hilarious, and surprisingly healing world of running a failing brewery.
At its heart is Amber (McMann), a woman who’s just about ready to give up on her dreams—until she inherits her late father’s brewpub and a mismatched team of employees who just might change everything.
A New Mexico Story Through and Through
Directed by Keagan Karnes and written by Stafford Douglas, Brewmance was born from real life hustle. “My creative and business partner, Mary Haarmeyer, first had the idea,” Karnes says. “We’re both small business owners, and we wanted to tell a story that shows how hard it is to keep something alive. A brewery just felt like the perfect, chaotic environment to explor
e that.”
Karnes, who has made his mark in the Southwest’s indie film scene, says the story quickly became something more universal.
“Amber is isolated, burnt out. But by opening herself up to love, community, and connection, she finds a way forward,” he says. “That’s something I think a lot of us can relate to—especially after the last few years.”
The Balancing Act of Comedy and Catharsis
Karnes also credits his inspirations—films like The Wedding Singer and Judd Apatow’s early work—for helping guide Brewmance’s unique tone.
“I’ve always loved those movies that can make you laugh out loud and then hit you in the chest a second later,” he explains. “As Stafford and I developed the script, I was constantly revisiting those films. And in the edit, Dan Dinning and I worked really hard to keep that emotional balance just right.”
But the key to making it all work? The cast.
“Kennedy and Alex are incredible,” Karnes says. “They’re hilarious, but they can turn on a dime and bring such depth and empathy. They made the tonal shifts feel completely natural. It’s honestly more than I imagined when we were just putting this on paper.”
Meet the Cast
- Amber – Kennedy McMann
- Samuel – Alex Moffat
- Gunner – Steven Ogg
- Courtney – Zoe Colletti
- Officer Haley Price – Caroline Kingsley
- Raiden – Jamey Clay Brown
- Mr. Bank – Joel de la Fuente
- Bixie – HannahEstelle Mosqueda
- Bill – Kirk Roos
The Crew Behind the Brew
Brewmance was shot entirely in New Mexico with a passionate and talented local crew:
- Director of Photography: Matt Wilson
- First Assistant Camera: Allen Hrynick
- Second Assistant Camera: Cherrita Thao
- Digital Imaging Technician: Dan Denning
- Sound: Nick Duron
- Costume Designer: Brayden Frascone
- Costume Assistant: Natalia Peterson
- Production Designer: Lorus Allen
- Art Assistant: Vanessa Velarde
- Assistant Director: Stephanie Ponce De Leon
- Second Assistant Director: Ryan Riddle
- Makeup: Pepper Gallegos
- Hair Department: Lisette Baldonado Bencomo
Karnes says, “This film was only possible because of the team. Everyone showed up with heart and grit. In a lot of ways, we were living the same struggle as our characters—making something out of nothing. But we did it together.”
A Simple Dream: A Movie Night with Heart
Asked what he hopes audiences take away from Brewmance, Karnes is humble: “I just want people to feel joy. I hope it’s a movie couples can snuggle up with, crack open a six-pack, and feel a little lighter after. The world can be heavy. Maybe Brewmance gives people a little break from that.”
Premiere: April 9
Where: Las Cruces International Film Festival
Follow: @brewmancefilm for exclusive teasers and behind-the-scenes content
Press Contact: Amanda Machon – amanda@inspirado.tv
www.inspirado.tv
Article By ABQLive Staff
Photos Courtesy of the Brewmance Team
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