Second Louisiana Film Prize competition kicks off

The second annual Louisiana Film Prize kicked off at the Robinson Film Center on Jan. 9.

Independent filmmakers from around the world are already taking to the streets of Shreveport- Bossier to make their five- to 15-minute short film entries for a chance at a $50,000 cash prize.

At the kickoff, Louisiana Film Prize founder Gregory Kallenberg and the Film Prize staff reviewed the success of last year’s inaugural competition and addressed expectations for 2013 to a room full of eager contestants.

“We want more film crews to come to Shreveport,” Kallenberg said.

Last year, the Louisiana Film Prize brought in 84 registrations and 78 film entries, exceeding their expectations inaugural event.

For the Prize’s sophomore year, Kallenberg is taking into account the success of 2012 and the early attention gained from filmmakers and media in 2013. He says he is hoping to receive about 120 registrations.

The competition is beginning a month earlier than last year, and in the first week after the launch, registrations were already beginning to pour in.

“Not only did you see people from Shreveport-Bossier [at the kickoff], but from Dallas, Houston and Albuquerque who came here to hear firsthand what [the Louisiana Film Prize] is about,” Kallenberg said.

From the 78 submissions last year, a panel of judges narrowed the films down to 20 finalists, who received a $300 gift.

Over an October weekend at the Robinson Film Center, the public viewed and voted for their favorite finalists.

The three films with the highest votes won prizes. Noah Scruggs, Chris Armand and Thomas Woodruff received the coveted $50,000 grand prize for their comedy/western “The Legend of Luther Anderson.”

They were also one of three film crews to receive a $3,000 Founder’s Circle grant to offset the production costs for a new short film in this year’s contest.

However, for 2013 the Louisiana Film Prize is sweetening the deal by increasing the grants from three to five, which will be awarded at the end of the viewing weekend in October.

Also, the top three winning films will be guaranteed screenings at several selected film festivals outside of Shreveport, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Kallenberg said he hopes to promote the use of Shreveport- Bossier as a filming location.

One of the requirements for Louisiana Film Prize entries is that they must be shot completely in Shreveport- Bossier.

Kallenberg said the filmmakers must provide proof of where filming took place.

“Last year they turned in receipts so we knew where they stayed, who they hired.”

The restriction makes the Louisiana Film Prize beneficial to the cities’ economy as out-of-town film crews spend money on lodging, food, transportation, hiring local businesses and more.

Last year, the Louisiana Film Prize generated an estimated $2 million for Shreveport-Bossier.

The long-lasting effect is that Shreveport-Bossier builds a reputation for tourism and future filming. “Our goal is to help build Shreveport-Bossier into a creative mecca that I think it can be,” Kallenberg said. “It has an incredible foundation.”

Kallenberg founded the Louisiana Film Prize with the mission to help other artists and his home, but it also hits a personal chord for the filmmaker.

“I think the Film Prize is important to me because I see the creative potential of this area, and I want the area to see the creative potential in itself,” he said.

“I want Shreveport-Bossier to be the city I want to live in, to be open to creative development and ideas. I want the city to be thriving.”

Contest entries are due by July 9. A full list of rules and information for registration can be found at www.lafilmprize.com.

– Tiana Kennell