New Mexico Filmmakers

Program New Mexico Filmmakers: Conversation with Aliyah Lee and Gary Medina Cook

Aliyah Lee

Originally from North Dakota, Aliyah relocated to New Mexico in 2016 to pursue a career in film and television. They have been fortunate to work on a number of New Mexican projects, large and small, and they are so grateful to have found their place in this beautiful NM Film Family. Aliyah is the co-owner of 701 Productions, a Santa Fe NM based film production company, through which they work as a director and producer.

Gary Medina Cook

Gary Medina Cook is a mixed blood (Hispanic, Scottish/Irish, Native American/Mexican) award-winning independent filmmaker, musician, and composer from Northern New Mexico. He is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Artist in Santa Fe where he earned his BFA in Film with honors.

Medina Cook’s short films have been featured internationally in a variety of film festivals. His original music scores have been featured in television and film including Pawn Stars, Saturday Night Live, The Who Biography, ESPN, and most recent the original film score for “However Wide The Sky” from Silver Bullet Productions in which he earned a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award. As film editor, he has worked on several short films, product demonstrations, and most recent for the 2023 music video for legendary recording artist Michael Martin Murphy. As a sonic architect, he has worked with Sting on “Brand New Day” as well as Joni Mitchell and others.

In addition to filmmaking and composing, Medina Cook performs as guitarist and music director for Taos Pueblo Grammy award-winning musician Robert Mirabal.