Prize Foundation kicks off 2025 with Golden Lens Exhibition

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The Prize Foundation officially launched its 2025 season with a vibrant networking party and photography showcase at Remington Garage on January 14. The evening celebrated two major milestones: the kickoff of the 14th annual Louisiana Film Prize competition and the final showcase and voting for the third annual Golden Lens Photography Competition. 

The free event drew filmmakers, photographers, and arts enthusiasts from across the region and beyond, creating an energetic atmosphere of creativity and connection. Attendees were treated to live networking opportunities, a photography exhibition, and a preview of the exciting year ahead for the Prize Foundation’s initiatives. 

The Louisiana Film Prize 2025 officially opened its call for entries during the event, encouraging filmmakers to create short films in Caddo Parish for a chance to win $50,000, the largest cash prize for narrative short films in the world. Prize Foundation founder and executive director, Gregory Kallenberg, addressed the crowd along with dignitaries including a rousing speech from Shreveport’s Mayor Arceneaux. 

“It’s amazing to be a part of an organization that celebrates the creative class like we do at the Prize,” said Gregory Kallenberg. “So it’s especially amazing when the creative class from our region shows up and we get to see them build the community that we always envisioned them creating.” 

The event also featured the finalist showcase of the third annual Golden Lens Photography Competition, presented by the Prize Foundation in partnership with Bossier Parish Community College and the Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation. Attendees had the unique opportunity to cast their votes for the Audience Choice Award while enjoying the exhibition, which captured the vibrancy of downtown Shreveport-Bossier City during Prize Fest 2024.  

Golden Lens 2025 Winners

The Golden Lens winners were announced that evening with Jacob Mitchell’s Blue in Green receiving the Judge’s Choice and a $1000 grand prize and Jill Stripling’s Stillness receiving the Audience Choice and $500 cash prize. The Prize Foundation and its supporters also featured a free photography workshop featuring Ben Hickey, executive director of CEPA Gallery in Buffalo, N.Y., and one of the nation’s leading curators. Hickey shared insights into the submission process for competitions, exhibits, and residencies, offering strategies for photographers and artists to stand out in a competition. 

The Prize Foundation’s 2025 season promises to build on this inspiring start, with a lineup of programs that includes Louisiana Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize, Music Prize, Food Prize, Comedy Prize, and Taco Wars. These initiatives drive creative entrepreneurship, foster cultural engagement, build community and generate economic impact in Shreveport-Bossier and beyond. 

For more information about the Prize Foundation and its programs, visit www.prizefest.com. 

Photography credit: Jeremy Hernandez

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Paul Savage, Jr.

Paul Savage, Jr. is a graduate of Centenary College of Louisiana and is the owner, founder, & designer of Savage Creative Solutions. Savage Creative Solutions is a full-service, integrated marketing agency headquartered in Shreveport, LA with a growing national footprint across multiple industries. Savage is a local marketing and communication professional, entrepreneur, and accomplished author. His debut memoir, "Diary of A Testicular Cancer Survivor," has been featured on Amazon's best-seller list.

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