Shreveport, Louisiana, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Shreveport, Louisiana, kicked off Prize Fest 2024 with founder Gregory Kallenberg addressing attendees. The festival features film, food, music, and comedy events running through March 19, offering a grand total of $50,000 for the winning short film. The local economic impact is estimated at $30 million, enhancing community engagement and showcasing artistic talent.
Shreveport Kickstarts Prize Fest 2024 with a $50,000 Film Prize
Shreveport, Louisiana, is bustling with excitement as Prize Fest 2024 officially launched on March 15, 2024, with a kickoff address from festival founder Gregory Kallenberg at Remington Garage. This year’s festival presents an array of engaging events, including the Film Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Comedy Prize, running through March 19, 2024. The highlight is the Louisiana Film Prize, which offers a stunning $50,000 cash award for the winning short film, recognized as the largest cash prize dedicated to short films in the nation.
The event is anticipated to stimulate the local economy, with its economic impact estimated at $30,000,000, although this figure has not been revisited since 2018. The festival attracts thousands of participants each year, fostering connections and providing priceless networking opportunities for artists across various disciplines.
The week includes numerous activities that appeal to diverse audiences. The Food Prize event—dubbed the Battle for the Golden Fork—took place on October 19, 2024, spotlighting local culinary talent in downtown Shreveport. In addition, the Comedy Prize featured eight emerging comedians competing for a $2,500 cash prize, while the Music Prize showcased ten musicians vying for a $10,000 award, along with a $1,000 audience choice prize.
In the spirit of education and community involvement, Prize Fest includes Prize Fest Jr., a segment specifically designed for local students interested in filmmaking. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the festival, which continues to engrain itself as a crucial part of Shreveport’s cultural fabric.
The festival also features major attractions such as Taco Wars, a lively spring festival that showcases 14 taquerias, paired with live entertainment enriching the local scene. Attendees of the film screening events have opportunities for engagement, with multiple screening sessions planned at various venues and voting available for attendees on films in competition.
Key winners from this year’s Film Prize will gain notable benefits, as the overall winner will qualify for Academy Award consideration with all expenses covered, a major opportunity for filmmakers aiming to take their work to a larger audience. Additionally, businesses and restaurants in the area have reported growth and new ventures spurred by the festival’s activities.
In keeping with its tradition, this year’s festival features a red carpet event, in-person film screenings, and virtual passes available for voting on selected films, broadening participation and accessibility.
Overall, Prize Fest not only showcases artistic talent but also plays a pivotal role in boosting Shreveport’s economy and enriching its cultural landscape.
FAQ
What is Prize Fest?
Prize Fest 2024 is a week-long festival held in Shreveport, Louisiana, featuring events such as the Film Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Comedy Prize from March 15-19, 2024.
How much is the cash prize for the Louisiana Film Prize?
The Louisiana Film Prize offers the largest cash prize for short films, totaling $50,000 for the winner.
What is the estimated economic impact of Prize Fest?
The local economic impact of Prize Fest is estimated to be $30,000,000 according to Kallenberg, although this number hasn’t been updated since 2018.
What competitions are included in Prize Fest?
The festival includes competitions in film, food, music, and comedy, featuring events like the Battle for the Golden Fork, Comedy Prize, and Music Prize.
Are there opportunities for students at Prize Fest?
Prize Fest includes community engagement through Prize Fest Jr., which focuses on local students in filmmaking.
What is the significance of the overall Film Prize winner?
The overall Film Prize winner will be qualified for Academy Award consideration with all expenses paid.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Duration | March 15-19, 2024 |
| Grand Prize | $50,000 for the Film Prize winning short film |
| Economic Impact | Estimated at $30,000,000 |
| Food Prize Event | Battle for the Golden Fork |
| Comedy Prize Value | $2,500 cash prize |
| Music Prize Value | $10,000 cash prize, $1,000 audience choice award |
| Student Engagement | Prize Fest Jr. for local filmmaking students |
| Other Attractions | Taco Wars & Red Carpet Event |
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Prize Fest Numbers Continue to Grow
- Wikipedia: Film Festival
- KSLA: Louisiana Prize Fest 2025 Returning to Shreveport
- Google Search: Prize Fest Shreveport
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Film, Food, Music, Comedy at Prize Fest
- Google Scholar: Louisiana Film Prize
- Shreveport Times: Big Wys Brass Band at Music Prize 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Music Festival
- KTAL News: Prize Fest Set to Return to Downtown Shreveport
- Google News: Prize Fest
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
