SHREVEPORT, LA — The Prize Foundation is thrilled to announce that the Louisiana Film Prize has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” for 2025. The internationally recognized list is curated each year by the magazine’s Panel of Cool, a group of acclaimed filmmakers, festival veterans, and industry experts who highlight festivals they find exciting, welcoming, and unforgettable.

In its write-up, MovieMaker praised the Louisiana Film Prize for its one-of-a-kind format, in which all competing short films must be shot in Louisiana. The article celebrates the festival’s electric energy, close-knit creative community, and the rare blend of competition and camaraderie that defines Film Prize. Panelist and filmmaker Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz described the festival as “a family affair,” adding that Film Prize “restores your faith in the work when you’re feeling low.”

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as one of the coolest film festivals in the world,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “Film Prize was built to champion indie filmmakers and celebrate their creativity. To be highlighted among festivals from around the globe is a testament to the filmmakers, the audiences, and the incredible community that makes this event so special.”

This year’s list places the Louisiana Film Prize alongside a global lineup of festivals such as SXSW, Telluride, and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, underscoring its growing stature and positioning it shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most influential and respected festivals in the world. Film Prize was also recently featured on MovieMaker’s “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” underscoring its impact on filmmakers and its unique place in the national festival landscape.

Registration for the 2026 Louisiana Film Prize is now officially open, with a special kickoff event planned for January that will include a final showcase of the Golden Lens nominees and the announcement of this year’s Golden Lens winner. Filmmakers from across the country are encouraged to begin developing their Louisiana-based projects and join the vibrant creative community that makes Film Prize one of the most distinctive and celebrated festivals in the world.

To learn more about Film Prize and for official rules, visit www.prizefest.com/film