Shreveport, LA – The Prize Foundation has announced the finalists for Prize Fest 2026. From October 14-18, some of the country’s most promising independent artists will come together for five days of creative competition in downtown Shreveport.
From filmmakers competing for up to $50,000—the world’s largest cash prize for a narrative short film— to chefs, musicians, photographers, and comedians putting their talent to the test, this year’s finalist class represents some of the most exciting emerging creative talent from Northwest Louisiana and across the country.
“Every year, we think Prize Fest can’t get any bigger, and every year these artists prove us wrong,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “This year’s finalists are a remarkable group of filmmakers, chefs, musicians, photographers and comedians who are bringing their best work to Shreveport. We’re proud to give them a platform, and we’re ready to show the world what happens when creative geniuses take over and show us how cool Shreveport and Bossier can really be.”
FILM PRIZE
The Louisiana Film Prize will feature 20 films competing for up to $50,000. To qualify for Film Prize, filmmakers were required to shoot a 5–15 minute narrative short in Louisiana. The $25,000 grand prize is doubled to $50,000 if the winning film was shot in Caddo Parish.
The grand prize winner will be selected through a combination of audience voting and evaluations from a panel of film industry veterans, tastemakers and celebrities.
Film Prize will kick off October 15 with a Red Carpet Event, followed by screenings of the Top 20 Films October 16–17 at venues throughout downtown Shreveport and Bossier City. The films will also be available to watch and vote on online, giving audiences around the world an opportunity to participate in the competition.
The winning film will be announced at a private awards brunch on October 18.
Film Prize Finalists
- Abnegation Directed by Niko Kochalidze
- Carolina Blue Directed by Mark D. Bonner
- The Day I Met Aretha Franklin Directed by Brian Egland & Carlos Jimenez
- Doom Lift Directed by David Culotta
- Fruits of Our Labor Directed by Taylor Deville
- Grad Night Directed by Travis Bible
- The Great White Wolf Directed by Zac Cino
- Harvested Directed by Justin Livingston
- Hours to Minutes to Seconds Directed by Catalina Cielo & Stevie Cavalier
- Inhumation Directed by Austin Gorski
- The Jade Stallion Directed by Devon Johns
- The King of Time Directed by Erinn Hayes
- The Man I Love Directed by Kai Tan
- Max Capacity Directed by April Yanko
- Smoke Directed by Gian Smith
- Someday They’ll Go Down Together Directed by Taylor Bracewell
- Spatial Directed by Paul Petersen
- Stalling Directed by Xander Topich
- Tannenbaum Directed by Matthew Spriggs
- Winter Wind Directed by Heath Hill
FOOD PRIZE
Food Prize brings together the region’s top culinary talent for a competition designed to showcase and elevate the chefs shaping the food culture of Northwest Louisiana.
This year’s six Food Prize finalists were selected through the Golden Fork Dinner Series. These chefs will now advance to Come and Get It on Wednesday, October 14. There they’ll be paired with celebrity chefs to create one-of-a-kind tastings for judges and attendees, showcasing bold flavors and inventive culinary artistry.
Some of the area’s top mixologists will also compete during Come and Get It for the coveted Golden Shaker. After Come and Get It, three chefs will advance to The Battle for the Golden Fork—a high-energy, Chopped-style cook-off happening Saturday, October 17. The Battle is free and open to the public. A panel of esteemed judges will crown the winner, who will take home a $5,000 cash prize, major bragging rights, and the prized Golden Fork trophy.
Food Prize Finalists
- Darrielle Stephens BPCC Culinary Arts
- Jacob Mouser Chop Shop
- Chelsea Girard Fat Calf Brassiere
- Abelardo “Lalo” de los Santos El Cabo Verde
- Jasmine Cherry The Noble Savage
- Sanela Tomic Bella Fresca/Sauvage
Golden Shaker Finalists
- Audrey DeLaune Heron Mae & Co
- Chase Boytim Fatty Arbuckles
- Dakota Craig Bear’s
- Paul Loggins Zuzul Coastal Cuisine
- Walker Adams Fat Calf Brassiere
MUSIC PRIZE
Music Prize has selected 11 finalists to compete in two nights of live showcases on October 16-17 at the Remington Garage. Each night of the competition will feature a live showcase of five to six finalists. Winners will be determined by a panel of industry judges, with a $10,000 grand prize. Attendees who watch at least 3 musical acts will also be able to vote to help crown the Audience Choice winner, a $1,000 prize.
Music Prize Finalists
- Ado Soul New Orleans, LA
- Before the Mountain Shreveport, LA
- Dezi 5 Dallas, TX
- Elijah Delgado Buda, TX
- Gran Moreno Canyon Lake, TX
- J. Isaiah Evans & the Boss Tweed Dallas, TX
- Jesse Rawlinson Shreveport, LA
- Madame Radar Wimberley, TX
- Parker Woodland Austin, TX
- Rococo Disco Austin, TX
- The Family Florence, AL
COMEDY PRIZE
Comedy Prize returns with eight stand-up comedians competing for $2,500 at the Remington Garage.
The competition brings comedians together with influential professionals from the comedy industry, giving finalists an opportunity to perform before both audiences and industry insiders.
Comedy Prize Finalists
- April Boddie New York, NY
- Gary Simmons New York, NY
- John Novosad Denver, CO
- Philipp Kostelecky New York, NY
- Papp Johnson Oakland, CA
- Rachel Williams New York, NY
- Shane Bianchi Los Angeles, CA
- Tatiana Frank New York, NY
PHOTO PRIZE
Photographers from across the region turn their lenses on the Shreveport-Bossier area for a chance to have their work featured at the Photo Prize exhibition at Prize Fest at Bossier Parish Community College.
Up to 30 finalists will compete for the $1,000 Golden Lens Grand Prize during Prize Fest, while attendees will choose the $500 People’s Choice Award. Finalists to be announced soon.
FIVE DAYS OF CREATIVE COMPETITION
Together, the five competitions form the heart of Prize Fest, an annual celebration of independent film, music, food and comedy that brings thousands of attendees, artists and industry professionals to downtown Shreveport.
Throughout the festival, audiences will have the opportunity to discover new films, hear emerging musicians, experience culinary competitions, watch live comedy and connect directly with the artists behind the work.
Prize Fest continues the Prize Foundation’s mission of using creative competition to create economic opportunity, develop talent and bring national attention to Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana.
Prize Fest 2026 takes place October 14–18 in downtown Shreveport. For more information and to buy passes, visit www.prizefest.com
About the Prize Foundation
The Prize Foundation is an award-winning nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Shreveport, LA. Founded in 2012, the Prize Foundation’s 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: Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Comedy Prize and also hosts the annual Taco Wars festival. Each Prize has a qualification process, engagement with economic and cultural resources, and an educational component.
Media Inquiries:
Daffney Dawson
870.278.2935
daffney@prize.foundation
Rachael Hansil
318.560.4386
rachael@prize.foundation
