Film Prize Junior 2024 celebrates record-breaking year

April 07, 2024

Film Prize Junior 2024, the statewide short film program and competition for Louisiana students, returns this year on April 12 and 13 with an awards ceremony on April 14. The festival, presented by the Prize Foundation and Louisiana Economic Development, will be part of Shreveport Regional Art Council’s Artbreak! Festival at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Film Prize Junior 2024 records

For 2024, Film Prize Junior saw a record-breaking 96 films submitted from 54 schools and programs across the state of Louisiana, 42 of which are Title One schools. Student filmmakers and their teachers, families and friends will be able to view the films during in-person screenings at the festival then vote for their favorite films.

“Film Prize Junior is one of the coolest things we get to do at the Prize Foundation” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “This event is the culmination of kids and their educators working together to create something amazing and, by doing that, we are helping to show these kids the pathway to success.”

What is Film Prize Jr. 2024?

The nationally unique program is free and open to high school and middle school students across the state of Louisiana, providing mentorship and interactive workshops throughout the year. Students are engaged in the collaborative, multidisciplinary art form of filmmaking and creative entrepreneurship and guided through the entire filmmaking process from scriptwriting to production to marketing of the film during the festival to attract the audience’s votes for best film.

Film Prize Junior will host a Virtual Red Carpet prior to the festival to give student filmmakers a chance to discuss the creation of their films. During the festival, student filmmakers will be able to connect with one another and compete for scholarships and equipment grants for their schools.

Film Prize Junior will also provide industry-led panels to provide mentorship for students and their teachers. Students will have the opportunity to take part in Production Island, an interactive exhibit with guided hands-on access to cameras, lighting and sound equipment. All the events for teachers and students are free to attend, and the Prize Foundation will also provide travel stipends to offset the costs for students traveling from outside of the region to attend the festival.

Awards will be presented to both high school and middle school films for Judges’ Choice and Audience Choice. There will also be Best of Genre Awards for Animation, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller and Documentary and a first time award for Best Poster Design, sponsored by Troubled Muse Studios.

Winning films will be announced on April 14th at the Shreveport Convention Center. To learn more about Film Prize Junior, visit filmprizejr.com.