Louisiana Film Prize

Louisiana Film Prize
Location Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Founded 2012
Awards Louisiana Film Prize ($50,000), iTunes Distribution, Automatic Entry to Other Festivals, Filmmaking Grants, Best Actor/Actress, Cross/Cut Editing Award (2013 only)
Film titles 20
Festival date October 2–4, 2015
http://lafilmprize.com

Louisiana Film Prize is an annual film contest and festival started in 2012 that is held in Shreveport, Louisiana. The contest invites filmmakers from across the country to shoot a short film in a predefined geography - centered in Shreveport and Bossier City - for the chance to win $50,000, one of the largest cash prizes for a short film in the world.[1] Films may be no less than five minutes and no more than fifteen minutes total runtime. The prize winner is determined by both festival attendees and a judges panel, who are required to view all twenty shorts, separated into two slates of ten films each, and confirmed by punch card in order to place a vote.[2] Each group accounts for 50% of the total vote.[3] Filmmakers can also win grants for filmmaking for $3,000 through a separate voting process.

History

2012 Festival: Inaugural Year

The 2012 festival was attended by 1,700 people[4] and the prize was won by filmmakers Noah Scruggs, Thomas Woodruff, and Chris Armand for their film "The Legend of Luther Anderson."[5]

2013 Festival

For the 2013 contest and festival, organizers are added additional prizes which can by won by filmmakers including five grants for $3,000, as opposed to three for the 2012 festival, for filmmakers to return and create a film for the 2014 festival. Prizes also included automatic admission to other film festivals around the country and distribution on iTunes and other avenues through Shorts International.[6] The "Top 20" films competing in the 2013 contest were announced August 15, 2013[7] and the festival was held October 4–6, 2014. The New Orleans-based film "Silo" took home the grand prize in addition to a special state-sponsored "Cross/Cut" award.[8]

2014 Festival

The 2014 Film Prize saw the addition of a best actor/actress prizes The Bradley and Alyce awards. Returning was the large cash prize, the Founders' Circle filmmaking grants, festival placement, and distribution opportunity via Shorts HD.[9] The "Top 20" films who are competing in the 2014 contest were announced August 12, 2014.[10] On October 12 at the Awards Brunch, it was announced that "True Heroes" by director Chris Ganucheau of New Orleans won the grand prize. The Alyce Best Actress and Bradley Best Actor awards were bestowed upon Chelsea Bryan of "Angel of Joy" and James Palmer of "Snip" respectively.[11]

Grand Prize Winners

Year Film Director(s) Origin of director
2012 The Legend of Luther Anderson Noah Scruggs, Thomas Woodruff, and Chris Armand Shreveport, Louisiana
2013 Silo Kyle Clements New Orleans, Louisiana
2014 True Heroes Chris Ganucheau New Orleans, Louisiana

References

  1. Miller, Sean. "Louisiana Film Prize Offers $50K for Short Films". Backstage.com. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  2. Voynar, Kim. "Louisiana Film Prize Kicks Off With A Big Winner". MovieCityNews.com. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  3. Landrum, Dawn. "Shreveport-Bossier gets ready for its close-up in new film contest". Louisiana Film and Video Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  4. "2013 Louisiana Film Prize Raises the Stakes". Asis Chronicle.
  5. Brennan, Matt. "Louisiana Film Prize Showcases Filmmakers to Keep an Eye On". IndieWire. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  6. Siegel, Tatiana. "Louisiana Film Prize Launches a Distribution Partnership with Shorts International". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  7. "Louisiana Film Prize 2013 Rules and Regulations". Official Louisiana Film Prize Website. Film Prize Foundation. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  8. Sims, Craig. "2013 L.A. Film Prize Goes to 'Silo'". KTBS 3 News. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  9. Lattazino, Ryan. "Louisiana Film Prize Will Award iTunes Distribution & Cash Prizes to Five Short Filmmakers". IndieWire. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  10. "Louisiana Film Prize Announces 20 Winning Finalists". Backstage. Backstage. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  11. "True Heroes wins 2014 Louisiana Film Prize". KTBS. KTBS. Retrieved 13 October 2014.