The Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is joining the City of Natchitoches Main Street Program and Northwestern State University in sponsoring the Louisiana Film Prize, a contest that requires filmmakers to shoot a short narrative film in northwest Louisiana to win a prize of $50,000. The LA Film Prize was established five years ago to draw filmmakers to Shreveport-Bossier, foster the creative vibe in the region, showcase the beauty and resources of northwest Louisiana and spur economic development through the film industry. Since then, filming boundaries have been extended to other Northwest Louisiana parishes and this year, filming has been extended to include Natchitoches Parish. With the assistance and support of the Natchitoches Main Street program and Northwestern State University, this has been made possible.

"I believe our Parish will be greatly impacted by being included in the approved film zones,” said Madeline DeBlieux, marketing and public relations manager at the Natchitoches CVB. “Knowing the impact it has brought to the Shreveport area and northwest Louisiana, I can only imagine what it can do for Natchitoches and the parish. The landscapes and architecture the city and NSU have, the wildlife areas, Landmark Districts; NSU and the Historic District and not to mention the Cane River National Heritage Area. This will bring endless opportunities for Natchitoches and I can't wait to see filmmakers and their crews here in Natchitoches Parish. "

Twenty finalists will be selected, who will receive $500 and an invitation to the LA Film Prize Weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2 where the winner will be determined. Half of the selection will be through a panel of celebrities and film experts and half by audience vote. Last year, over 100 films were submitted.

The 2016 Film Prize began with a kick-off party at ArtSpace in Shreveport January 12th that celebrated the contest’s fifth birthday. Rough cuts of films are due July 12 and the announcement of the 20 finalists will be August 16th.

“We hope that as the LA Film Festival grows, Northwestern State will be a resource to filmmakers shooting in our parish,” said Cole Gentry, NSU’s director of Marketing and Branding. “The university’s involvement in the film contest creates opportunities for our students in creative and performing arts, communication arts and hospitality management and tourism engaging with filmmakers and as aspiring filmmakers themselves.”

For more information on the LA Film Prize, visit lafilmprize.com. To view a Louisiana Film Prize promo video, visit vimeo.com/57146714.