Shreveport, LA – The Louisiana Film Prize, an initiative of the Prize Foundation, has announced its 2024 finalists in what has been a record-breaking year for the competition. With independent filmmakers from across the country vying for the prestigious award, this year’s event marks the highest participation of female filmmakers, a record number of entries from BIPOC filmmakers, and ties for the most first-time filmmakers since 2016.
The announcement, made before a standing-room-only crowd, sets the stage for Prize Fest 2024, a celebration of film, food, music, and comedy in downtown Shreveport from October 16-19. The festival will feature screenings of the 20 finalist films, which will compete for a grand prize of up to $50,000—the largest cash prize in the world for a narrative short film.
“From an independent film perspective, this year has been pretty mind-blowing,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder of the Louisiana Film Prize and Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “Our town and state have become a beacon for creators, and these filmmakers definitely showed up and did amazing work.”
The 20 finalist films will be shown in theaters around Shreveport and Bossier City from October 17-19, with audience members and a panel of industry judges determining the grand prize winner. The winner will be announced during a private awards brunch on October 20.
“These twenty films were incredibly difficult for our global Film Prize Jury to select, but I believe that they made the right choices,” Kallenberg added. “Now, these films head to Prize Fest in October, where they will be shown on the big screen and in front of sold-out audiences. We can’t wait to host the biggest and best Film Prize ever!”
The event, now in its 12th year, continues to make a significant impact on the local economy, with over $25 million contributed to the area through filmmaking and the festival itself. To qualify for the Louisiana Film Prize, filmmakers were required to produce a short film (5-15 minutes) entirely shot within Louisiana. The grand prize of $25,000 doubles to $50,000 if the film was shot in Caddo Parish.
In addition to the grand prize, the Top 5 films will receive a $1,000 reimbursable grant for festival fees and travel expenses. The Prize Foundation will also offer up to five Founder’s Circle Grants, providing $3,000 in reimbursable funding for filmmakers to return and produce a short film for the 2025 Louisiana Film Prize. To date, the Prize Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in cash to independent filmmakers.
For more information about Prize Fest 2024 and to purchase passes, visit PrizeFest.com.
About the Louisiana Film Prize
The Louisiana Film Prize invites filmmakers nationwide to create a short film between five and fifteen minutes long, with the requirement that the production must be shot in Louisiana. The top twenty films are screened in October, and a winner is chosen based on votes from audiences and a panel of judges.
About the Prize Foundation
The Prize Foundation is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization based in Shreveport, LA. Founded in 2012, the Foundation’s mission is to promote economic growth, workforce development, and creative entrepreneurship through its various initiatives, including Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Fashion Prize. Each initiative includes qualification processes, economic and cultural engagement, and educational components.