Top 20 Film Prize Announcement

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, festival season in Louisiana and one of our absolute favorites Prize Fest is back for their 12th year of programming.

Our team attended the Top 20 Announcement Party hosted at The Robinson Film Center Friday, August 11th in downtown Shreveport. From entry to exit the Robinson, Shreveport’s local non-profit theater was brimming with nervous excitement as filmmakers, cast, crew and attendees piled into the second floor events space. After a hot summer of Barbenheimer we’re all ready for a little indie film magic and the Louisiana Film Prize never disappoints.

Since 2012 the Prize Foundation has been birthing a world of possibility, inspiring local creatives and shelling out the largest cash prize for a short film in the world, $50,000 to one of twenty lucky filmmakers. You heard us right, FIFTY—THOUSAND DOLLARS. If that doesn’t make you want to pick up a camera I don’t know what does. This year an impressive selection of highly skilled and diverse creatives were recognized as finalists to compete for the grand prize during this year’s festival which ranges across two weekends though you can only screen the Top 20 films Oct. 19 - 21.

The Top 20 Finalists

So who are the finalists?

In order of announcement….

So now that we know who's in, let's talk about how you can attend The Louisiana Film Prize and how voting works! Prize Fest is a dual weekend experience with competitions in Fashion, Music, Film, Comedy and Food. There’s seriously something for everyone, the only people who are sure not to find something to do are those who aren’t looking and even then they’d need to be six feet under. Remember, screening of the Top 20 Films occurs on the second weekend of Prize Fest Oct, 19 - 21 across Shreveport and Bossier at a variety of approved locations from morning to late at night, more info on those locations to come, be sure to check the festival website for updates.

Every festival goer will receive one important thing when they check-in at the festival, their badge. Don’t lose this, we’re SERIOUS, you’ll view the movies in slates of ten films which means you’re likely carving out about two hours or so of your day so plan ahead. Once you’ve viewed each slate of ten films you’ll receive a stamp on your pass from the movie attendants which you must present in festival central to volunteers to receive your voting ballot. From there it’s pretty straightforward, rank your movies with a pen and paper ballot before submitting it into a ballot box. But what makes voting at the LouisianaFilm Prize so special? The audience vote accounts for 50% of the final count towards who wins the grand prize, that’s a lot of responsibility! The other 50% is in the hands of a panel of nationally recognized industry professionals ranging from film and television to festival production, magazine writers and everything in between so it’s super important for the filmmakers to not just wow these judges but YOU the audience members. 

This means you can expect to see filmmakers street side giving away merchandise, signing film posters, and charming their way into your hearts. Not to mention the filmmakers parties that happen all weekend long so don’t be shy to scoot your way over to one of their booths and chat them up, you’ll more than likely find yourself raising a glass later with the team that produced your favorite films later that night!

What? Oh yeah! How did you get tickets to one of the best festivals in the south? Visit prizefest.com or head to this link. And right now Prize Fest is offering an early bird special until mid-September so GET. THOSE. TICKETS. Prices will go up and you don’t want to miss out on such an incredible deal. You can also learn more about the Fashion, Food, Comedy and Music portions of the festival at their main website.

Want a little more Prize spirit in your life year round? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @lafilmprize and @laprizefest, thank us later and we’ll see you at Prize Fest 2023, VIVA!