Louisiana Film Prize
By the time the red carpet is rolled out in Fort Worth, one lucky filmmaker will already be $50,000 richer — and a giant step closer to the Oscars.
That’s the promise behind a bold new partnership between the Louisiana Film Prize and the Fort Worth Film Commission, as first reported by The Shreveport Times. The grand prize winner of the 2025 Louisiana Film Prize will be flown to Fort Worth for a weeklong theatrical run, complete with a red-carpet premiere, celebratory after party, and one massive bonus: the chance to qualify for the 2026 Academy Awards®.
This isn’t just a splashy celebration — it’s a strategic power move for regional filmmakers. Fort Worth, home to one of only six Oscar®-qualifying screening regions in the world, is opening its doors (and screens) to the South’s top storytellers.
“The Louisiana Film Prize has always been about connecting filmmakers with amazing industry mentorship and real, tangible opportunities,” said Gregory Kallenberg, the festival’s founder and the executive director of the Prize Foundation. “This partnership with the Fort Worth Film Commission represents a major leap forward. We’re not just celebrating independent film — we’re creating real access to the industry’s biggest stage.”
Now in its 14th year, the Louisiana Film Prize is one of the most fiercely contested short film competitions in the country. The rules are simple: shoot a short film in Louisiana, and if you win, you’ll take home a $50,000 check — the largest prize in the world for a narrative short. But this new wrinkle adds prestige and purpose beyond the prize money.
The Fort Worth Film Commission’s Premiere Package is a rare gateway for Oscar hopefuls. The program covers a full weeklong run in Tarrant County, where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has designated official eligibility status. It includes theater space, travel accommodations, and promotional muscle to help draw audiences — and Academy attention.
“We’ve been blown away by the global interest in screening in Fort Worth as a path toward Oscar® eligibility,” said Taylor Hardy, Fort Worth’s Film Commissioner. “We’re excited to partner with a powerhouse like the Louisiana Film Prize to provide more opportunities while connecting with talented and inspiring filmmakers.”
Beyond the spotlight, the partnership speaks to a bigger movement: the rise of the South as a vital force in the world of independent cinema. As major coastal markets become increasingly crowded and costly, Fort Worth and Shreveport offer filmmakers something just as valuable — access, authenticity, and support.
The goal is clear: elevate emerging voices, build creative bridges, and prove that the future of film isn’t confined to Los Angeles or New York. It’s being written in places like Texas and Louisiana, where storytellers are given not just a stage, but a chance.
Filmmakers interested in joining the 2025 Louisiana Film Prize can still submit their work ahead of “Prize Fest,” which runs October 16–19 in downtown Shreveport. And for those with a completed short film looking to take their shot at Oscar® consideration, applications for the Fort Worth Premiere Package are now open.
Visit PrizeFest.com/Film to enter or FortWorth.com/PremierePackage to learn more.
Note: Eligibility for Academy Award® consideration is determined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is subject to change based on its official rules and guidelines.
