Film Prize 2025 | 20 Short Films. One $50,000 Winner!

20 short films.
$50,000 cash.
Oscar^® Qualification.
You're the judge!

Stream the Awards Ceremony
Sunday, October 19, 11:00am

Twenty filmmakers and their Louisiana-made short films are competing for your vote and the vote of the Film Prize judges to win the world’s largest cash prize for a short film — $50,000 cash plus an Academy Award^® Qualification Package from the Forth Worth Film Commission. To vote, you must watch all 20 short films (separated into two screenings with 10 films each). It’s like a double feature with high stakes! Spend the weekend with us at the movies and you can change a filmmaker’s career.

FILM PRIZE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Tune in live to the Film Prize Awards Ceremony!

You watched, you voted, now it’s time to find out who won best actress, best actor, and who will take home a filmmaking grant, and who will walk away with the largest cash prize for a short film in the world and an Oscar-Qualifying screening package!

Tune in live on Sunday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m. Central Time.

How Film Prize Works

Over the last year, filmmakers from all over the country have worked hard to make short films for the Film Prize competition. Twenty finalists were selected from the pool of entries. Those Top 20 finalist filmmakers will compete in the festival to win the $50,000 cash prize and an Oscar^®-Qualifying package. Now you’re the judge!

Here’s how you help pick the grand prize winner:

In-Person Festival

Buy an in-person pass to Film Prize. Your pass is good for any screenings and parties you like — all weekend long.
Arrive at the theater early (20-25 minutes) for your preferred screening times. Seating is first come, first served and they do fill up!
The 20 films are split into two groups. Watch both the TEAL and ORANGE groups of films. Each slate of films runs just over 2 hours including an intermission. You must watch all films to cast a vote!
Have your festival badge punched as you exit the theater.
With your badge punched, visit the voting booth to cast your ballot for both best film and best performance!

Virtual Festival

In-Person Screening Locations and Schedule

Screenings will take place in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th. Choose from four amazing venues! Pick a screening time. Arrive early. Seating is first come, first served.
You must see both TEAL and ORANGE slate to vote!

Slates run just under 2.5 hours including a 10 minute intermission.
You do not have to see both sets of films in the same venue… go exploring!

Robinson Film Center

617 Texas Street, Shreveport

The premier venue for the Louisiana Film Prize, Robinson Film Center features a high quality cinema experience complete with 4K digital cinema projection and surround sound, complete with a concessions, bar, restaurant, and comfortable stadium seating.

Robinson Screening Times

Friday, October 17
9:00 a.m – Orange Slate
11:35 a.m. – Teal Slate
2:10 p.m. – Orange Slate
4:45 p.m. – Teal Slate
7:20 p.m. – Orange Slate
9:55 p.m. – Teal Slate

Saturday, October 18
9:00 a.m – Teal Slate
11:35 a.m. – Orange Slate
2:10 p.m. – Teal Slate
4:45 p.m. – Orange Slate
7:20 p.m. – Teal Slate
9:55 p.m. – Orange Slate

Paradiso Popup Theatre at The Vine

620 Texas Street, Shreveport

This former consignment shop, across from Robinson Film Center, is converted with all-new comfort seating with casual style seating, concessions and a bar. Seats only 60 people. Features full HD projection and a punchy 2.1 stereo and subwoofer sound system.

Paradiso Screening Times

Friday, October 17
9:10 a.m – Orange Slate
11:45 a.m. – Teal Slate
2:20 p.m. – Orange Slate
4:55 p.m. – Teal Slate
7:30 p.m. – Orange Slate
10:05 p.m. – Teal Slate

Saturday, October 18
9:10 a.m – Teal Slate
11:45 a.m. – Orange Slate
2:20 p.m. – Teal Slate
4:55 p.m. – Orange Slate
7:30 p.m. – Teal Slate
10:05 p.m. – Orange Slate

Central ARTstation by Shreveport Regional Arts Council

801 Crockett Street, Shreveport

This black-box theatre setting features full HD projection, stadium seating, and a punchy 2.1 stereo and subwoofer sound system. You may also buy or pick up passes at this location and cast your votes!

ARTstation Screening Times

Friday, October 17
9:15 a.m. – Teal Slate
11:40 a.m. – Orange Slate
2:05 p.m. – Teal Slate
4:30 p.m. – Orange Slate
6:55 p.m. – Teal Slate

Saturday, October 18
9:15 a.m. – Orange Slate
11:40 a.m. – Teal Slate
2:05 p.m. – Orange Slate
4:30 p.m. – Teal Slate
6:55 p.m. – Orange Slate

Bossier Parish Community College Theater

6220 E Texas St, Building C, Bossier City

This large, 300-seat theatre space features full HD projection, stadium seating, and stereo sound. You may also buy or pick up passes at this location and cast your votes!

BPCC Screening Times

Friday, October 17
11:00 a.m. – Teal Slate
1:30 p.m. – Orange Slate
4:00 p.m. – Teal Slate

Saturday, October 18
11:00 a.m. – Orange Slate
1:30 p.m. – Teal Slate
4:00 p.m. – Orange Slate

In-Person Screening Slates

The finalist competitors are split into to screenings for convenience.
Each screening slate runs approximately 2.5 hours, including intermission.

Teal Slate

Girl Dad
High Cotton
Hivemind Deluxe
M.R.I. (or, Michael Returns Indefinitely)
Perfect Night
Perpetual Care
Ramon Makes a Movie
Strand
Vultures Prey at the Starlight Motel

Orange Slate

Disorder
Last Minute
Leaving My Mother
The Loneliness of an American Woman
Mentality
The Old Man at the Bar
(OM)EN
On the Seventh Day
The Vivid Imagination of David Thursby
Rug Pull

Grand Prize Winner

Last Minute

Directed by Michael Cusumano

In the days before the Internet, a single mom must scramble to bail out her 12-year-old son when he waits until the night before to start a major homework assignment.

Best Actress

Abby Tozer

The Old Man at the Bar

Two French waiters closing up for the night have their routine upended by a mysterious, old man, who may have shown up for more than just a late-night glass of wine.

Best Actor

Ty Hudson

Girl Dad

Anthony and his daughter Emily spend one day a year getting into all kinds of shenanigans. As the years pass and Emily grows up, Anthony must face the hard truth that being a good father means more than just being the fun one.

Top 5 Finalists

Recognized as the five most voted-for films this year!

Girl Dad

Directed by Rachael Hudson

Last Minute

Directed by Michael Cusumano

M.R.I. (or, Michael Returns Indefinitely)

Directed by John F. Beach

The Old Man at the Bar

Directed by Alexander Jeffery

Rug Pull

Directed by Carlos Jimenez

Founder's Circle Winners

Will a receive $3,000 reimbursable grant toward an entry into Film Prize 2026!

On the Seventh Day

Directed by Kai Tan

Ramón Makes a Movie

Directed by Haley Kirton

Mentality

Directed by Mackenzie Bell

Strand

Directed by Austin Gorski

The Vivid Imagination of David Thursby

Directed by Devon Johns

Watch Online at the Virtual Festival!

The virtual festival will be available Wednesday, October 15th at 11:00 a.m. until midnight on Saturday, October 18th. To vote online, watch all short films below using your Film Prize Virtual Pass from Eventive. Once all films have been watched, your ballot will be unlocked!

Click on the posters to learn more about each film and its filmmakers.
If you are a Virtual Festival Passholder, click “Watch the Film” to begin viewing.

Time Until Virtual Festival Begins

Learn More About the Films

Directed by Eric Mason Kirton

Directed by Rachael Hudson

Directed by Melissa Goslin

Directed by Chris Alan Evans

Directed by Michael Cusumano

Directed by Cory Steele

Directed by Brad Michael Negrotto

Directed by Mackenzie Bell

Directed by John F. Beach

Directed by Alexander Jeffery

Directed by Mary McDade

Directed by Kai Tan

Directed by David Michael Long

Directed by Katie Royer

Directed by Haley Kirton

Directed by Carlos Jimenez

Directed by Austin Gorski

Directed by Devon Johns

Directed by Ben Maner & Ben Matheny

Best Performance Nominees

Explore the films of the nominees by clicking on their picture.

Vultures Prey at the Starlight Motel

M.R.I. (or, Michael Returns Indefinitely)

Rug Pull

High Cotton

Perpetual Care

The Loneliness of an American Woman

Strand

Perfect Night

Mentality

Girl Dad

Disorder

Ramón Makes a Movie

Hivemind Deluxe

(om)en

The Vivid Imagination of David Thursby

Leaving My Mother

Last Minute

On the Seventh Day

The Old Man at the Bar

Meet the Mentor Judges

Who are the mentors that will help select this year’s winners?

Kevin Arbouet

Kevin is a writer, director, and producer recognized for expanding diversity in filmmaking. A former VP of Lee Daniels Entertainment, he was named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch.” His recent credits include directing Toxic Harmony (Fox Studios, 2024) and Gridiron Grind (IMDB’s Best of 2023). He is co-writing Cash Money with Terry Rossio, developing Killer Bee, and previously showran the Audible podcast MOVE, narrated by Black Thought.

Sharon Badal

Sharon is the former VP of Programming for Tribeca, where she oversaw short films for the festival’s Academy Award–qualifying competitions and collaborated on initiatives, projects, and events. She previously spent a decade in distribution and marketing at major studios and gained extensive live-event producing experience. A Distinguished Teacher at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she is also the author of Swimming Upstream – A Lifesaving Guide to Short Film Distribution (Focal Press).

Jessica Daniels

Jessica Daniels, CSA, is an Emmy and Artios Award–winning casting director recognized for her work in both film and television. A former VP of Casting at Disney Television Studios, her credits include 30 Rock, Single Drunk Female, and The Carrie Diaries, as well as acclaimed films such as The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Selah & the Spades, and The Forty-Year-Old Version. She is celebrated for discovering authentic voices and championing character-driven storytelling.

Colette Freedman

Colette is a screenwriter, novelist, and playwright. She wrote the film, And Then There Was Eve, and co-produced Quality Problems, which won several film festivals. Her film Miles Underwater is in post-production, and her film 7,000 Miles about Amelia Earhart, is currently on the festival circuit. Currently, her musical Serial Killer Barbie is gearing up for a tour of New Zealand and Mozart the Musical had a sold-out run at Carnegie Hall in March 2023.

Carly Hoogendyk

Carly is an LA-based comedy talent manager and live show producer with Omnipop Talent Group West. She manages multi-hyphenate comedians and edits State of Comedy, a Substack highlighting rising talent across live, digital, film, and animation. Carly began her career at Caveat before working with Authentic Talent and Artists First. Her producing credits include Newcomers and CHERRY, a weekly show at the Public Hotel. Originally from Phoenix, she is a Columbia University alum.

Bhavani Rao

Bhavani is an accomplished producer, writer, leader, lit manager, and storyteller with extensive experience across television, development, and mentorship. She is the founder of South Asian Women in Entertainment (SAWIE), created to amplify South Asian women’s voices in Hollywood and foster authentic representation. Bhavani also co-founded South Asians in Entertainment and South Asians in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror.

Paul Sloop

Paul has been the lead programmer of short films for the Oscar-qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival since 2002. He is also the Director of Programming for both Film Pittsburgh and the Cordillera International Film Festival in Reno/Tahoe, NV. He is the proud father of seven daughters and one son and lives in Mentor, OH with Sarah, his wonderful wife of over 20 years.

Ben Wiessner

Benjamin is a producer and VP of Sales & Distribution at Vanishing Angle. He was named to Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Indie Film in 2012 as part of Ornana films. He has produced short films with awards at festivals including SXSW and Sundance. In 2018, he co-founded the Short to Feature Filmmaking Lab, and in 2020 he helped launch the Vanishing Angle Post Grant for short filmmakers.

Prize Fest Parties and Special Events

This festival is more than creative competitions, it’s a celebration of community. Join us for these free events throughout the festival.

Film Prize University: Industry Panel Discussions sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development

Free to the public!

Thursday, October 16
11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street

Mentor Judges from Film Prize will host panel discussions and Q&As discussing the independent film industry, next steps to grow your filmmaking career, and more. This event is free and open to the public.

Film Prize Red Carpet Event and Party

Free to the public!

Thursday, October 16
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Prize Island, 700 Block of Texas Street

Join the filmmakers and the stars of this year’s Louisiana Film Prize on the red carpet. This event, open to all, will feature photographers, a filmmaker speed date, big toast with special drinks and more, all in the middle of Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

Red Carpet Afterglow Party

Free to the public!

Thursday, October 16
9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Prize Island, 700 Block of Texas Street

The party doesn’t stop after the red carpet cameras stop clicking! Join us into the night with special drinks, mocktails just steps away from the red carpet!

Prize Fest Friday Night Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Party

Free with Festival Badge

Friday, October 17
9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Stray Cat, 222 Travis Street

The Prize Fest After Party goes full NYE— toasts, auld lang syne and a party that won’t quit. Celebrate like it’s almost midnight all night long!

Live DJ at Prize Island

Free to the public!

Saturday, October 18
7:30pm — 9:00pm

Prize Island, 700 Texas Street

Live DJs spin the ones and twos live at Prize Island!

Prize Fest Closing Party

Free with Festival Badge

Saturday, October 18
9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

The Noble Savage, 417 Texas Street

Close out Prize Fest in style with a special closing party event featuring food and drink — both non-alcoholic and alcoholic. You won’t want to miss this event!

Prize Fest "Big Exhale" Closing Toast!

Free with Festival Badge

Saturday, October 18
at 11:00 p.m.

The Noble Savage, 417 Texas Street

Come raise a glass with the biggest, baddest barbaric YAWP ever as we bring home the final night of Prize Fest!

Film Prize 2025 Awards Ceremony

In-Person by Invitation Only

Stream online for free!

Sunday, October 19
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Find out who won Film Prize 2025 and celebrate an amazing festival year with all of the filmmakers and Prize staff. In-Person attendance is by invitation only, but you can stream online for free here at prizefest.com, on Facebook, and on our YouTube channel!

Golden Lens Photography Competition Sponsored by Bossier Parish Commmunity College

September 27th thru October 19th

This exciting photography competition invites photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, to capture the unique essence of Shreveport and Bossier City. Through your lens, we invite you to explore our vibrant community, iconic landmarks, and the spirit of our festivities.

Register to Compete in Film Prize 2024

Submissions are due Tuesday, July 9, 2024 by 11:59 p.m.

Read the complete rules for 2024.