Every year, hundreds of students, their teachers, friends, and families attend the Film Prize Junior Student Film Festival in Shreveport, LA.

DATES

FESTIVAL DAY 1: FRIDAY, MAY 2ND – 3:30PM – Shreveport Convention Center

FESTIVAL DAY 2: SATURDAY, MAY 3RD – 9:30AM – Shreveport Convention Center

AWARD CEREMONY: SUNDAY, MAY 4TH – 10:30 AM – Shreveport Convention Center

VIRTUAL FESTIVAL: MAY 8 – 15, 2025

VIRTUAL AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT: MAY 16, 2025

ACTIVITIES

The festival kicks off with student screenings Friday night and all-day Saturday. Attendees can explore “Production Island” with hands-on production gear demos, join film industry panels, and enjoy VIP access just for our student filmmakers.

On Sunday, the festival wraps with the awards ceremony, where a jury selects the Grand Prize for middle and high school films, alongside an Audience Choice Award and many more!

FILM SCREENINGS

Friday 4:00PM-8:00PM

Saturday 10:00AM – 8:00PM

Films are grouped into Middle and High School slates.

To vote, watch at least one full slate.

Check out the festival program!

RED CARPET INTERVIEWS

Saturday 2:00PM – 6:00PM

Student filmmakers, enjoy your spotlight moment on the red carpet and share your filmmaking journey!

FILMMAKER PANELS

Saturday 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM

During these short sessions, hear real stories from Film Prize Junior alumni, this year’s teacher producers, and film industry pros. Curious about careers in film and TV? Start Here!

HOW TO GET HERE

Directions from I-49 South to Parking Garage:

• Take Exit 206 to merge onto I-20 E toward Monroe.

• Use the right two lanes to take Exit 19A for LA-1 N/Spring St/US-71 N. Continue straight.

• Turn left into the Shreveport Convention Center/Hilton Parking Garage.

• Walk across Sky Bridge to the Convention Center.

Parking Info

• Parking in the Hilton Garage is FREE, but space is limited.

• All street parking is also FREE on weekends, but limited.

• Be cautious of nearby Paid Parking lots—they are NOT free, but they will likely have availability.

Bus Drop Off

• Buses may use the loading zone on Caddo Street. Please coordinate arrival times with us to ensure a smooth process.

• An alternate drop-off location is in front of the Hilton on Market Street.

• Buses are encouraged to return to their hotels after drop-off while students attend the festival.

FAQ’s

When are your films playing?
Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd 

What do you do when you get to the festival? 

Check in with the Film Prize Junior staff to receive:

• Your filmmaker badge

• A festival program

• Swag (including exclusive FPJR-branded merch!)

Select student film crew members will also receive VIP access, which includes entry to the VIP Lounge with refreshments and snacks. Teachers: If any of your main cast or crew can’t attend, feel free to send an alternate student as a VIP. We typically allow 4–6 VIPs per film, though we’re happy to consider exceptions (especially for out-of-town schools or combined film groups).

When should you arrive at the festival? 

That’s totally up to you — your film screens once on Friday and twice on Saturday.

Pro tip: If you’re coming from more than two hours away, we highly recommend arriving 1–2 hours before your screening time on Saturday so you can enjoy everything the festival has to offer.

When should you wear? 

Come as you are! That said, red carpet attire is absolutely welcome if you want to dress to impress. Want to show off your Prize spirit? Feel free to come dressed as your character for some extra recognition and fun photo ops!

How do you make the most of the festival? 

Plan ahead! There’s so much to experience:

• Red carpet photo ops

• Learn from the pros at the Filmmaker Q&A panels & Hands-on demos at Production Island

• The Poster Competition Gallery

• And of course, watching fellow student films!

Do you have to see all of the films?

Nope — you only need to watch one screening to vote. That said, we highly encourage you to watch as many films as you can to support your fellow filmmakers!

At the end of each screening, you’ll see a QR code you can scan to vote for your favorite film.

No phone? No problem — paper ballots will be available at check-in.

When, Where and How to watch the Awards? 

The Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 4, at 10:30 AM on the 2nd floor of the Shreveport Convention Center — the same location as the festival. Doors open at 10:00 AM, and seating is limited, so we recommend arriving early.

Can’t make it in person? Yes, the ceremony will be streamed! Teachers will receive a viewing link next week to share with families who want to tune in remotely.

2025 AWARDS CEREMONY

May 4th 10:30 AM
Shreveport Convention Center
(2nd Floor)
400 Caddo St. Shreveport, LA 71101

AWARDS UP FOR GRABS

All submitted films are showcased online and in person at the Film Prize Junior Festival, competing for Juried Awards, chosen by industry mentors, and Audience Choice Awards, voted on by festival attendees. Winners receive a Film Prize Junior Diploma, with awards ranging from cash prizes to film equipment grants. Teacher producers can earn stipends, and schools may receive grants or reimbursements to support future film projects. The Student Celebration Fund helps schools celebrate their filmmakers’ success!

Juried Awards

BEST of GENRE
Film Prize Junior films must be submitted in one of five (5) genres: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller, or Documentary. Our Mentor Judges select films as they represent the best of their chosen genre in their division.

BEST ANIMATION
Along with Live-Action short films, Student Filmmakers have the option to submit Animations to the festival. Films in this technique are selected by our Mentor Judges as the best representatives of this technique in their division.

FOUNDERS CIRCLE AWARDS
These films are selected both by our Mentor Judges and our Film Prize Junior team for their passion and dedication to their films demonstrated during the 2025 Film Prize Junior Film Festival. Each of these films is awarded a $250 grant to reimburse costs towards the production of short films for Film Prize Junior 2026. The award is accepted by the School or School Beneficiary.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
One film from each division is selected by the panel of Mentor Judges as it represents the best of the submissions to this year’s festival. The winning film is awarded a $1,500 Film Equipment Grant for the School or School Beneficiary, $500 is awarded to the Teacher Producer and $1,000 in Celebration Funds accepted by the Organization on behalf of their Student Filmmakers.

Audience Choice Winners

TROUBLED MUSE POSTER COMPETITION AUDIENCE CHOICE
This Film Poster is selected solely by the in-person audience who view the poster gallery and vote during the Film Prize Junior Film Festival. The winning Film Poster will be awarded a MacMini and accessories valued at $1,500 for their School or School Beneficiary, and $250 awarded to the Teacher Producer.

FESTIVAL AUDIENCE CHOICE
This film is selected solely by the in-person audience who watch films and vote during the Film Prize Junior Film Festival. The winning film is awarded a $1,500 Film Equipment Grant for the School or School Beneficiary, $250 to the Teacher Producer, and $500 in Celebration Funds accepted by the Organization on behalf of their Student Filmmakers.

VIRTUAL AUDIENCE CHOICE
This film is selected solely by the audience who watch films and vote during the Film Prize Junior Virtual Film Festival. The winning film was awarded $500 in celebration funds to the student filmmakers.