CONTACT:
Taylor Hardy
Fort Worth Film Commissioner
TaylorHardy@FortWorth.com
Melissa Brannan
Media Relations
melissa@prize.foundation
Fort Worth Film Commission and Louisiana Film Prize Form Strategic Partnership to Elevate Independent Filmmakers
FORT WORTH, TX — The ultimate prize for filmmakers is now within reach thanks to a new partnership between the Fort Worth Film Commission and Louisiana Film Prize. Through this collaboration, the filmmakers behind the Louisiana Film Prize-winning short film will receive a trip to Fort Worth for a limited theatrical release, complete with a red carpet premiere and celebratory after party.
Tarrant County was designated as an Oscar®-qualifying region by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 98th Academy Awards® season. The Fort Worth Film Commission created the Premiere Package program to support filmmakers who plan to submit their work to the Academy for consideration, a process that can otherwise be costly, time-consuming or difficult to navigate.
The Louisiana Film Prize winner’s screening experience will be an extension of this program, aiming to provide an awards-qualifying* screening along with promotional support, offering a new level of visibility for their work.
“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 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.”
The Louisiana Film Prize, now in its 14th year, has built a reputation for innovation and community engagement, with a one-of-a-kind festival experience that draws top filmmakers from around the world to compete for an award of up to $50,000, the largest cash prize for a narrative short film.
The partnership not only adds an additional incentive for filmmakers to compete in the Louisiana Film Prize but also highlights Fort Worth’s reputation as a dynamic and film-friendly city committed to celebrating and showcasing the cinematic arts.
“The Louisiana Film Prize has always been about connecting filmmakers with amazing industry mentorship and real, tangible opportunities,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Film 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.”
This partnership reflects a shared mission: to support rising filmmakers, amplify regional film culture and foster meaningful connections between creative communities while strengthening the broader film ecosystem across the South.
This forward-thinking partnership exemplifies how two dynamic organizations can come together to create meaningful opportunities and remove barriers for the next generation of filmmakers.
Filmmakers with completed short film projects interested in pursuing Oscar® qualification can apply for a Premiere Package now at FortWorth.com/PremierePackage. The next Louisiana Film Prize will be held during Prize Fest taking place October 15–19, 2025, in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. For more information about the Film Prize, visit PrizeFest.com/Film.
*Please 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.
ABOUT FORT WORTH FILM COMMISSION
The Fort Worth Film Commission, a division of Visit Fort Worth, was established in 2015 to promote Fort Worth and Tarrant County as an ideal place to produce film and television. Through location services, preproduction and postproduction, the Film Commission has worked with hundreds of projects, driven $700 million in economic impact and created more than 30,000 jobs, raising awareness of Fort Worth as a city for creative industries and a tourist destination. For more information visit FilmFortWorth.com.
ABOUT LOUISIANA FILM PRIZE
The Louisiana Film Prize is a groundbreaking competition that invites filmmakers from across the country to create a short film for a chance to win $50,000, the world’s largest cash prize for a short film. The only requirement: the film must be shot in Louisiana. Each year, the top 20 submissions are selected and screened for live audiences and industry judges during Prize Fest, hosted every October in Shreveport, LA. The winner is chosen through a unique combination of audience and jury voting, making the Film Prize a dynamic celebration of independent filmmaking and regional creativity.
ABOUT PRIZE FOUNDATION
The Prize Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012. Our mission is to promote economic growth, workforce development, youth job training, creative class entrepreneurial buildout and increased tourism through education, entrepreneurship, conferences, contests and festivals in Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. The Prize Foundation operates six major initiatives year-round: Louisiana Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Comedy Prize. Each Prize has a qualification process, engagement with economic and cultural resources, and an educational component.