SHREVEPORT, La. — Prize Fest 2025 concluded five days of sold-out events in downtown Shreveport, uniting filmmakers, chefs, musicians and comedians from across the country in a celebration of creativity and competition. The annual festival, organized by the Prize Foundation, drew thousands of attendees and highlighted the city’s growing role as a national hub for the arts.
“This year’s Prize Fest showed the world what we’ve always known — that Shreveport is a true capital of creativity,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder and executive director of the Prize Foundation. “From the red carpets to the sold-out Food Prize events to the standing-room-only comedy and music shows, every part of the festival was alive with talent, passion and purpose.”
Louisiana Film Prize
Michael Cusumano’s Last Minute won the 2025 Louisiana Film Prize and a $50,000 grand prize, along with an Oscar-qualifying screening. The short film follows a single mother scrambling to help her son complete a last-minute homework assignment in the pre-internet era.
The top five finalists also included Girl Dad (Rachael Hudson), M.R.I. (or, Michael Returns Indefinitely) (John F. Beach), The Old Man at the Bar (Alexander Jeffery) and Rug Pull (Carlos Jimenez). Ty Hudson won Best Actor for Girl Dad, and Abby Tozer received Best Actress for The Old Man at the Bar.
The Founder’s Circle Grants, which provide $3,000 reimbursements for returning filmmakers, were awarded to Mackenzie Bell (Mentality), Haley Kirton (Ramon Makes a Movie), Kai Tan (On the Seventh Day), Devon Johns (The Vivid Imagination of David Thursby) and Austin Gorski (Strand). LSU Shreveport’s Laura Purdue also announced a special documentary award to Melissa Goslin (High Cotton).
Food Prize
Food Prize 2025 launched the weekend with two sold-out culinary events, including the Come and Get It showcase pairing six local chefs with six Top Chef alumni. The event featured inventive tastings judged by both attendees and culinary experts.
Shalom Sahlie of Prohibition Bar at Red River Billiards won the Golden Shaker competition for his cocktail, the Nutty Islander. Advancing to the Battle for the Golden Fork — postponed due to weather — were Jasmine Cherry (The Noble Savage), Chelsea Girard (Heron/Mae & Co) and Dylan Teekell (The Library on Fern).
The inaugural Celebrity Chef BBQ, led by chef Tristen Epps, sold out and featured collaborations between national and local culinary talent.
Music Prize
Dallas-based band Cure for Paranoia won the $10,000 grand prize at Music Prize 2025. Lew Apollo of Austin earned second place, with Dezi 5 of Dallas taking third. The Audience Choice Award resulted in a tie between Shreveport’s Bond+ and Austin’s Big Wy’s Brass Band.
The festival also featured the return of MPCon, a boutique music conference connecting emerging artists with producers and industry mentors.
Comedy Prize
In its fourth year, the Comedy Prize showcased 10 comedians before a sold-out audience and a panel of national industry judges. Peter Revello of New York was named the 2025 grand champion, earning $2,500 and professional opportunities with national bookers.
Beyond the competitions, Prize Fest 2025 reinforced Shreveport’s reputation as a creative destination, driving local economic impact and national recognition.
More information and full results are available at prizefest.com.