Artists head to Shreveport for film, food, comedy and music

For 13 years now, people from Shreveport and Bossier, the ArkLaTex, the United States and even foreign lands have come to Shreveport to experience a thing called Prize Fest. Every year in October, filmmakers, comedians, chefs and musicians vie for cash and prizes as part of the Fest. Gregory Kallenberg leads the organization, preparation and shenanigans that make this celebration unique. If Prize Fest is a blast, Kallenberg must be considered the trigger.

People come to compete, network, learn and experience the events surrounding film, food, comedy and music creation. It is a massive party with Kallenberg leading the way.

FOOD

“We are going back to a week-long format, which is glorious, and for some, it will be maddening,” Kallenberg admitted — maddening because there will be much to experience and not much time to catch all the events.

But people will try, he said. “If you look at the ticket (sales), they plan on doing it all: They’re buying them all at one time, and they’re moving from one event to the other, and I’m going to be right there with them.”

And he will. Kallenberg said he missed the old format that the pandemic interrupted. “After the pandemic, it certainly made sense to break it apart and let people ease into it.” If the virus is behind, or maybe corralled, it’s time to open the flood gates again. “It’s bringing back that energy that has been the magic of Prize Fest. What I personally missed the most was the musicians and filmmakers and comedians and chefs in the streets and coming together in Shreveport and collaborating and becoming friends.

That’s what it’s about.”

But that’s not entirely true.

Sure, you can go to the Prize Fest website at www.prizefest.com and find all the events, venues, times and particulars, but there’s more to Prize Fest than a huge party with colorful participants in a carnival atmosphere.

Kallenberg tells the story of how he witnessed Austin, Texas, grow from a “mediocre Texas town that just happened to have the state capitol” into a glowing light for the rest of the nation over 30 years because of SXSW, the South by Southwest festival.

COMEDY

As he described it, “Bringing all these people with all these different sensibilities to a place that they’d never heard of and (were) not sure that they ever wanted to go, but they wanted to be around other people that were like them.” So, he decided to transplant the idea here.

Kallenberg explained that there are some new twists this year besides holding all the events in the same short time frame. The Food Prize reverts to a celebrity chef/local chef format.

The Society of the Golden Fork selected six local chefs. They will each be teamed up with a celebrity chef. This year, the audience can also help choose one of the finalists. The Golden Shaker competition is expanding from three to five mixologists, and it is guaranteed to raise some spirits. And on Oct. 19, the event will climax in the streets with the Battle for the Golden Fork. It will be held in the aptly named Battle for the Golden Fork Coliseum behind the Shreveport Bar Association and, for the first time, will be staged in conjunction with Come and Get It, Kallenberg said.

Comedy Fest is doubling in size this year, featuring 10 standup comedians from across country who compete for $2,500 in cash. it’s not just the cash. “They’re coming because the people judging them are people like Michael Cox, who books for the Jimmy Fallon show, and Art Coleman, who head of Live Nation Comedy. These are big people that are coming in to judge these comedians,” Kallenberg explained, and those connections could lead to big jobs down the road.

FILM

“For the musicians, we have something called MPCon, which is Music Prize Conference, (for) which we’re bringing in industry professionals. It’s like Russell Ziecker, head of Lionsgate Music for film and television. The guy who’s buying music for Lionsgate films and television is coming to Shreveport to judge the Music Prize. Which means he could pluck a song off the stage. Having those opportunities here is kind of unparalleled.”

Artists are coming from all over to promote themselves and their music to the decisionmakers who have made their careers on a national or international stage.

“What we’re trying to do more than anything,” Kallenberg said, “is become a national focus point for any artist that wants to advance themselves by meeting the right people.”

It all started with the Film Prize over a decade ago, which remains a festival highlight.

“I love that people love it, but also, I want them to at least have a tiny bit deeper understanding of the road that every one of these artists took to get here. And they come back year over year to be around the people in Shreveport because they think they are awesome,” according to Kallenberg.

MUSIC

While it looks like a carnival, Prize Fest’s hidden gem is overwhelmed by the glitz and glamor of the events.

“It’s not about the organization. It’s about igniting and activating other people to do the work. That’s the important thing to me. People see that it’s something that they can do, and they jump into the pool and start swimming around with us.

“I love that we do tequila toasts. I love that we have late-night parties. It’s going to be a blast from that standpoint. But the idea of people connecting and creating together is really … the beauty and the magic of what Prize Fest is all about.”

PRIZEFEST AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

• Come and Get It - Remington Hotel
  

ThURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

• Film Screenings Begin
  
• Film Prize Red Carpet - Fest Central/Texas St.
• Comedy Prize - Remington Garage
  
• Red Carpet After Party - 700 Block of Texas St.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

• VIP Room Opens - artspace
  
• Film Prize Screenings
  
• Prize Island Open - Fest Central/Texas St.
• Music Prize Night 1 - Remington Garage
  
• Heaven & Hell Party - TBA

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

• Film Screenings
  
• MP Con - Remington Hotel
  
• Film Prize U - Robinson Film Center
  
• VIP Room - Fest Central/Texas St.
• Prize Island - Fest Central/Texas St.
• Food Prize Cook Off - Fest Central/Texas St.
• Music Prize Night 2 - Remington Garage
  
• Big Exhale - TBA
  
• Closing Party - Noble Savage
  

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

• Award Ceremony - Remington Garage
  
• After Party - Remington Hotel

Kallenberg is especially proud of what might be called the Film Prize Jr. legacy. “These are kids who so badly need a connection to their education, a connection to their teachers; their teachers need these kids to come back to school. What Film Prize Jr. does through the process of teaching them how to write, how to communicate, how to create a plan, how to be organized, how to execute — we’re really about creating little entrepreneurs.

“Hearing these kids on our red carpet talk about how hard it was, but how proud of themselves they are they completed the task.”

Last year, with contributions from the Community Foundation, they showed almost 100 films produced by students and their teachers; Kallenberg said it transformed their lives.

Transformation is an underlying theme for Kallenberg and the Prize Foundation. “At the end of the day, I love that people want to bring in their friends from out of town. I love that people are prideful about their city, and it should be that.

“We’ve got a long way to go, no doubt.

But for the last 13 years, I’ve watched the ball move forward, not back, even during the pandemic. Anything that gives our city that light is something that people show up for, and they celebrate.

“I’m here. I’ve done it for 13 years and hope to do it for another 30 years. The idea of doing something like this and growing it is what this thing is all about.”

So, it’s not just another Louisiana blowout party. It’s more than just tequila, film, fun, food and music to Gregory Kallenberg. And, he hopes, to Shreveport/Bossier City as well.

SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

Food Prize Come and Get It! Dining Experience

Remington Suite Hotel & Spa, 220 Travis Street (6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Come and Get It! is the premier food event at Prize Fest which features the six finalist local chefs creating one-of-a-kind dishes where you get to judge the winners! All this plus a cocktail competition, desserts and valet parking. It’s a recipe for a night to remember!

ThURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

Film Prize Screenings Begin

Robinson, Artstation, 620 Texas Street (First screening 11:00 a.m., last 4:00 p.m.) Be the first to see the Top 20 films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize. The 20 films are separated into two slates of 10 films each. You must watch all 20 short films to vote. Full screening schedule at prizefest.com.

Comedy Prize Standup Showdown, Early Show

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (Doors 6:00 p.m., Show 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) The first five comedians from across the country make you laugh out loud at the fourth annual Comedy Prize event! This event is uncensored and not recommended for younger Prizers. Arrive early to get your drinks and get in line to enter because seating is first-come, first-served!

Film Prize Red Carpet Event Sponsored by Fly Shreveport (Free)

Prize Island, 700 Block of Texas Street (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) 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.

Comedy Prize Standup Showdown, Late Show

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (Doors 8:00pm, Show 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) The remaining five comedians will keep you rolling on the floor! This event is uncensored and not recommended for younger Prizers. Arrive early to get your drinks and get in line to enter because seating is first-come, first-served! Stay until the end to see who wins!

Red Carpet Afterglow Party (Free)

700 Block of Texas Street (10:00 p.m. – midnight) 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!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

Film Prize Screenings Continue

All Film Screening Venues First screening at 9:00 a.m., last at 8:15 p.m.) Watch the Top 20 films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize! You must watch all 20 films to vote. Full screening schedule at prizefest.com.

Prize Fest VIP Lounge Opens

Artspace Shreveport, 710 Texas Street (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Film Prize VIP Passholders, artists and judges can enjoy an open bar, exciting chef-curated meals, cushy lounge spaces, special desserts and more! This is the place to be when you’re not in line for movies or at a Prize event!

Music Prize Showdown: Night 1

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (Doors 6:00 p.m., Show 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) The first six finalists for Music Prize 2023 bring down the house for the first night of live music. See at least three bands and you can vote for the Audience Choice winner!

Prize Fest’s Friday Night Party

Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street (9:00 p.m. – until) The infamous Prize Fest Halloween-themed party is back– complete with live DJ and decorations! Costumes are highly encouraged. Festival pass holders enter for free. All others will pay cover.

Film Prize Screenings Continue

All Film Screening Venues (First screening at 9:00 a.m., final screening at 8:15 p.m.) Watch the Top 20 films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize! You must watch all 20 films to vote. Full screening schedule at prizefest.com.

Film Prize University: Film Industry Panels (Free)

Robinson Film Center, 2nd Floor (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) 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.

MPCon - A Music Prize Conference

Remington Suite Hotel & Spa, 220 Travis Street (10:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) National music industry experts and mentors interface with Music Prize finalists and local area musicians during this intimate conference designed to connect musicians with industry heavy hitters who can take their careers to the next level.

Prize Fest VIP Lounge Opens

Artspace Shreveport, 710 Texas Street (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Film Prize VIP Passholders, artists and judges can enjoy an open bar, exciting chef-curated meals, cushy lounge spaces, special desserts and more! This is the place to be when you’re not in line for movies or at a Prize event!

Food Prize: Battle for the Golden Fork Final Cookoff (Free)

700 Block of Texas Street (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Three finalist chefs, selected from Wednesday’s Come and Get It event, will face off Chopped-style, live and in-person right in the heart of downtown Shreveport. Free and open to the public, come out and cheer on your favorite chef!

Music Prize Showdown: Night 2

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (Doors 6:00 p.m., Show 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) The remaining five finalists for Music Prize 2024 bring down the house for the final night of live music. See at least three bands and you can vote for the Audience Choice winner!

Big Exhale Prize Fest Closing Toast

The Noble Savage, 417 Texas Street (10:00 p.m.) Come celebrate the biggest, baddest, barbaric YAWP ever as we bring home the final night of Prize Fest celebration.

Prize Fest Closing Party with Special Musical Guest

The Noble Savage, 417 Texas Street (9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.) Close out Prize Fest in style with a special closing party event featuring food and drink — both non-alcoholic and alcoholic. Plus, Picket Line Coyotes featuring ShinyRibs will return to Shreveport and take the stage after the Big Exhale Toast! You won’t want to miss this event!