On Tuesday, July 14, the filming window will close for the 2015 Louisiana Film Prize, and the completed short films will be due to the offices of the Prize, located in downtown Shreveport, by midnight.
Over 125 filmmakers from across the country registered to compete for the contest’s $50,000, which will be awarded at the Louisiana Film Prize Festival Weekend this coming October. Throughout the evening, filmmakers will descend on the Prize office to hand over their films and promotional packages, then congregate at the Stray Cat – a popular bar for film folk – for the “End of the Line” Turn-In Party, which is open to anyone in the community who wishes to celebrate.
The filmmakers had from January to July to write, produce, film, edit, and finish a rough cut of their project. Some started early, some just last week. Whatever their strategy, Tuesday only marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another. All 125 films, which had to be filmed in northwest Louisiana, will be reviewed, and only 20 will be selected to continue to Festival Weekend where celebrity judges alongside audience members will determine the winner.
Between now and then, filmmakers will be rigorously working on their projects in anticipation of being picked. The announcement of the films to participate in the festival is August 11 at the Robinson Film Center. After which, they will begin working hard to gain your vote as an audience member for their film.
It’s an exciting time for Shreveport, Bossier City, and this corner of the state. To see so many talented and budding filmmakers trying their hand by creating art in our region is a wondrous sight to behold. From creation of stories to economic impact, these filmmakers and the Louisiana Film Prize are part of what makes our community a great place to live.
Louisiana Film Prize “End of the Line” Turn-In Party
Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street, Shreveport, La 71101
Doors at 8pm, Big Toast at midnight