Prize Fest, the award-winning celebration of film, food, music, fashion, and comedy, will require all attendees, artists, staff, and volunteers to provide either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to attend in-person this year.
The festival, set for the first time over two weekends (September 24-25th and September 30th – October 2nd) in downtown Shreveport, is the first local festival to announce such a protocol. For those not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72 hours of the first day of each weekend in order to enter festival events.
“We want to provide the safest experience we can for our attendees, creative competitors and staff,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder and executive director of the Prize Foundation. “My hope is that this requirement will help make our festival safe and allow people to focus on
having a good time at Prize Fest.”
Prize Fest will require guests to present proof of vaccination — a vaccination card or a printed or digital copy of it — or a negative test along with photo ID to receive a wristband in order to obtain festival passes.
The Louisiana Film Prize is offering open air screenings in an outdoor, tented theater called the Big Top. The Film Prize will also offer online screening and voting options for those opting to stay at home.
“We are excited to welcome people back to the cinemas to enjoy the work of Film Prize filmmakers at Prize Fest 2021,” said Chris Lyon, co-director of Louisiana Film Prize. “The team has worked incredibly hard to provide a variety of options for our attendees including an all-new open-air screening venue and online streaming of the films.”
Music Prize and Food Prize will also take place in the Remington Garage, an open air, covered venue. Both events will feature national talent coming to Shreveport to attend, perform and cook for the Prize Fest audiences.
“The excitement of our local Golden Fork chefs and our visiting celebrity chefs for this year’s Food Prize to return to an in-person event is truly inspiring,” said Melissa Brannan, co-director of the Louisiana Food Prize. “They all appreciate the efforts to make this the safest event possible and are well versed in safety protocol from this past year providing service during the pandemic. All are ready to be back together again for an incredible weekend.”
The festival will also require masks in any indoor spaces, staying in line with Louisiana’s current statewide mask mandate.
For more details about requirements, the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.prizefest.com.
