Film Prize to host public wrap party to celebrate filmmakers

July 07, 2023

The Louisiana Film Prize, one of the world’s most unique film competitions and festivals, which takes place primarily in Shreveport and Caddo Parish, will celebrate the end of the Production Phase for its Film Prize 2023 competition year with an official Film Prize Wrap Party on Tuesday, July 11th from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Stray Cat (222 Travis Street).

“Filmmakers have spent the last eight months crafting their stories, filming, and editing their films. Now we are inviting the entire community, not just the filmmakers, to celebrate this accomplishment,” said Chris Lyon, Director of the Film Prize, “Filmmaking is a craft that requires everything from writing, directing, acting to cinematography, lighting and graphic design, makeup, hair styling, costuming, sound recording, set construction, finance, and more. Everyone should be celebrated, and we invite the community to do just that.”

The Film Prize competition, which started in 2012, offers the world’s largest cash prize for a short film, $50,000, which has attracted filmmakers from not only the Northwest Louisiana area but also south Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and as far away as New York and Los Angeles. In 2022 it was named one of the best short film festivals in the world by MovieMaker Magazine. The Film Prize competition and festival have attracted over $20 million in economic activity to the region.

“These film crews are not just making films for the big screen,” said Film Prize Filmmaker Liaison Kelly Pederson, “They’re hiring local cast and crew, eating at local restaurants, and staying at our hotels. There is a real economic driver for our community behind the glitz and glam of Louisiana’s Hollywood South.”

The Film Prize 2023 Wrap Party is free to attend. It will include mixing and mingling with filmmakers and their talented cast and crews, movie trivia (which begins at 7:30 pm), and a scavenger hunt which can win participants prizes such as passes to the Louisiana Film Prize festival in October of this year. A taco vendor will be on the back patio, and a cash bar will be available. Attire is come-as-you-are. Guests must be over 21 to enter the Stray Cat bar.