News Summary
The Prize Foundation has announced 20 finalist films for the Louisiana Film Prize 2025, featuring a $50,000 cash prize for the best narrative short film. Set to take place during Prize Fest from October 15-19, the event will highlight a diverse range of films, with a voting process that includes audience participation and a jury panel. The winner will also receive a Premiere Package for a red carpet premiere and a chance for Academy Award consideration, showcasing Louisiana’s vibrant film industry and supporting emerging talent.
Shreveport, LA – The Prize Foundation has announced the selection of 20 finalist films for the Louisiana Film Prize 2025, a competition recognized for offering the world’s largest cash prize for a narrative short film, totaling $50,000. This announcement was made in front of an enthusiastic crowd of independent filmmakers and film lovers during a prominent event in Shreveport.
This year’s competition has been regarded as the strongest in its history by the founder of the Louisiana Film Prize, with a diverse slate of films vying for top honors. The Prize Fest, scheduled from October 15–19 in downtown Shreveport, will showcase these finalist films, making it a key event for filmmakers and audiences alike.
The winner of this year’s competition will not only receive the $50,000 grand prize but also a Premiere Package in partnership with the Fort Worth Film Commission. This package includes a red carpet premiere of the winning short film, a one-week theatrical run at a Fort Worth cinema, and an opportunity for Academy Award consideration.
The grand prize winner will be determined through a unique voting process that involves both audience participation and evaluations by a jury panel of film industry veterans, tastemakers, and celebrities. The event will kick off with a Red Carpet Event on October 16, followed by screenings of the top films on October 17-18. For those unable to attend in person, the films will also be available for online viewing and voting, allowing a global audience to partake in the decision-making process.
The winning film will be revealed during a private awards brunch scheduled for October 19. The Louisiana Film Prize, now in its 14th year, has generated over $30 million in economic impact within the region since its inception. This underscores the festival’s significance not just in the film industry but also in the local economy and cultural engagement.
Filmmakers hoping to enter the competition need to adhere to specific eligibility criteria, which require that their films be a 5–15 minute narrative short shot in Louisiana. Notably, the standard grand prize of $25,000 is doubled to $50,000 for films filmed in Caddo Parish, stimulating local participation and development of local talent.
In addition, the Prize Foundation continues to support emerging filmmakers by offering up to five Founder’s Circle Grants of $3,000 each to assist with future projects. Since the competition began, over $500,000 has been awarded to independent filmmakers, further emphasizing its role as a key catalyst for creative development in the region.
For more information regarding the films, event schedule, and festival passes, interested parties can visit prizefest.com. The upcoming festival is poised to be a momentous occasion for the independent film community, showcasing the rich talent and creativity emerging from Louisiana.
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