Before there can be a festival announcing the winner of $50,000 the 105 entries must be narrowed down to the Top 20.

Louisiana Film Prize received 105 entries this year and the time has come to announce the Top 20 films that will be featured in this year's festival.

Executive Director Gregory Kallenbergy and Film Prize V.I.P.s will announce the 20 finalists for the third annual Louisiana Film Prize at The Robinson Film Center on August 12, 2014. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

The Top 20 films will be shown at The Louisiana Film Prize Festival Weekend which will be held on October 10-12, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The winner will take home one of the largest cash prizes for a short film, $50,000.

"The Film Prize has nationally claimed its place in the indie filmmaking world as one of its premiere competitions," said Kallenberg. "We are incredibly excited about this year's group of films and being able to show this work to our jury and the Film Prize audience."

Louisiana Film Prize is a competition in which filmmakers create a short film (5-15 minutes) and the production must be shot in northwest Louisiana. This year, the Film Prize received over 100 registrations. Two-thirds of the entries were from outside of northwest Louisiana.

Over the past two years, these film entries have injected over $5 million into the area. This comes from the payment of cast, crew, food, lodging and equipment.

Aside from the one $50,000 winner, the top five Film Prize films will receive distributuion through Shorts International on iTunes and will also screen at various festivals across the country. Louisiana Film Prize will also distribute $15,000 in filmmaking grants and is introducing $1,000 "Best Actor" and "Best Actress" awards.

"Louisiana Film Prize Fest Weekend has become part Sundance, part Lollapalooza, part American Idol," said Kallenberg. "As the filmmakers lobby for their vote and interact with the public, there is an atmosphere in the air that can only be described as 'electric.'"

Passes for this year's Festival weekend are currently on sale for $30.00 for a limited time. For those who want the full Festival experience, all-access VIP passes are available for $500. VIP tickets include all-access with filmmakers and judges in the exclusive VIP Lounge, free food and drinks, preferred seating at all screenings and events, access to special panels, and the famous LAFP VIP bag. Every VIP ticket purchase supports the Founder's Circle filmmaking grants that are awarded to the Top 5 Festival finalists. Festival sponsorships are also available.

To learn more information about the Louisiana Film Prize contest and festival, visit LAFilmPrize.com.

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