LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO— On APRIL 9, 2026, the 11th annual Las Cruces International Film Festival will honor acclaimed film and television star Michael Rooker with its prestigious “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment” award. Mr. Rooker will be on hand to accept the award in Las Cruces. Mr. Rooker will screen a film of his choice at the Allen Theatres Cineport at 7pm and host a question-and-answer session with the audience. In the afternoon, Mr. Rooker will speak at New Mexico State University about his long and storied career. That evening at the LCIFF VIP Party at the Allen Theatres Cineport, Mr. Rooker will receive his “Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment” award. Past recipients of the LCIFF celebrated award include Helen Hunt, Ron Perlman, Giancarlo Esposito, William H Macy, Danny Trejo, Brendan Fraser, George Lopez, Cybill Shepherd, Richard Dreyfuss and Edward James Olmos.
Michael Rooker can currently be seen as “Cobb” on the final season of HBO’s THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES opposite John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Danny McBride, and he just wrapped production on the international thriller PIG VILLAGE with Korean action star Don Lee. Last year, Michael appeared in Kevin Costner’s multi-part epic HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA. Other recent credits include the Netflix comedy THE OUT-LAWS opposite Adam Devine and Peirce Brosnan, James Gunn’s THE SUICIDE SQUAD and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, Universal’s FAST AND FURIOUS 9, and Paramount’s LOVE AND MONSTERS
On the small screen, Michael recently starred in PEACEMAKER opposite John Cena as well as MARVEL’S WHAT IF for Disney+. Other notable recent credits include THE DARK TOWER and Season 3 of TRUE DETECTIVE, opposite Mahershala Ali.
Michael first gained critical acclaim for creating the lead role of HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER in 1986, which he followed up with notable appearances in MISSISSIPPI BURNING, DAYS OF THUNDER, JFK, CLIFFHANGER, and TOMBSTONE. He is also known for his celebrated work on THE WALKING DEAD as “Merle Dixon” and in the CALL OF DUTY video game franchise as 11/11/2025 “Lieutenant Mike Harper.” Since 2019, fans across the nation have known Michael as the current face of NASCAR.
Las Cruces International Film Festival founder and Executive Director Ross Marks said, “Michael Rooker is an extraordinary actor with incredible range. He has excelled in comedy, drama, and of course, great action movies. Known for his iconic role as Yondu Udonta in the hit Marvel franchise Guardians Of the Galaxy, he is the perfect honoree to celebrate the film festival’s 11th year. His diverse body of work is impressive. It is a thrill the Las Cruces International Film Festival can honor him in person. I have been a fan of his since his breakout role in Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer. We are ecstatic to honor Michael Rooker at the 2026 film festival.”
The LCIFF Poster Party will be March 6th, 2025, at the Farm & Ranch Museum 6pm-8pm and will feature the 2026 collectible poster as designed by artist Asiah Thomas-Mandlman. VIP tickets will be on sale for the discounted price $150 at the poster party only. Admission is $30.
Ticket prices for LCIFF are as follows:
- VIP Passes – $200.00
- All-Access Pass – $100
- Day Pass – $35
- Michael Rooker Celebrity Screening – $35.
To purchase tickets and for more information, go to www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.
For more information contact Ross Marks at rossm@nmsu.edu, or (575) 646-6149.
The 11th Las Cruces International Film Festival takes place April 8-12, 2026 and will be live and in-person at the Allen Theatres Cineport. Tickets are available at www.lascrucesfilmfest.com.