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SHREVEPORT — Louisiana Film Prize is kicking off its 11th year in 2022 and returns with the ability for competing filmmakers to win up to $50,000. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their short film– 5 to 15 minutes in length– the main requirement being that the film is shot in the state of Louisiana. If the winning film is shot in Caddo Parish, the filmmaker gets $50,000 – the largest cash prize in the world for a short narrative film. If the film is shot anywhere else in Louisiana, the film wins $25,000 – the second largest cash prize for a narrative short film.

“Moving the Film Prize back up to $50,000 is huge for our community,” said Gregory Kallenberg, executive director of the Prize Foundation. “We are already seeing independent filmmakers sign up, and we can’t wait to continue our work of making Caddo Parish an indie film Mecca.”

Film Prize will be hosting its kickoff and networking event on Thursday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. at Central Artstation. In addition to the formal announcement of the competition rules and deadlines, Film Prize will be offering all registered filmmakers the chance to win one of three $1,000 filmmaking grants if they commit to making their film in Caddo Parish. Filmmakers, cast and crew will also have the ability to network with other creatives and fans of the Prize. The event is free and open to the public. Proof of vaccination and masks will be required to attend.

“The response we have seen from filmmakers across Louisiana and the country just over the last few weeks has been astounding. That tells me that this year’s Film Prize is going to be something truly special,” said Film Prize director Chris Lyon. “We look forward to watching these filmmakers add to the success of the first ten years of Film Prize by coming to our state and our community to tell amazing stories which the public will get to see at Prize Fest come October.”

Film submissions are due July 12, 2022. The top 20 Film Prize finalists will be announced August 9, 2022. Prize Fest will take place October 13-23, 2022.

For full rules and regulations and to register, visit prizefest.com.

The Louisiana Film Prize invites filmmakers from around the world to make a short film between five and fifteen minutes long to compete for the largest short film cash prize offered in the world. The chief requirement is that the films must be shot in Louisiana. The top 20 films that have been submitted are then screened for audiences and judges in October and a winner is chosen based on the voting from those two factions.