Prize Fest 2023 - Festival Program Guide

The most amazing creative competition on planet Earth. 2023

OCTOBER 13-21

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIAN A

OCT 13-21, 2023 PRIZEPORT, LOUISIANA

WELCOME TO PRIZE FEST

This festival is organized with love by Prize Foundation, an organization founded in 2011 to create a home for creative entrepreneurs. We work 365 days a year to make our city a better place for artists and a more fun and prosperous place for everyone. And yes, we do it with one arm around our neighbors and a tequila in the raised hand of the other.

The event you are at now, Prize Fest, is a celebration of the artists and entrepreneurs who have taken a year-long journey with us to grow themselves and hone their craft through our competition events. This festival embodies our collective desires as a community — both the arts community and the broader community of Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana. It is with spirit that we invite you into these events. We ask that you actively partake in this journey by cheering loudly for the work and talent that you are about to see, because while there are grand prize winners, every single one of the competitors deserves our love.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you all for being a part of the most amazing film, food, music, fashion, and comedy festival on the planet — which happens in the heart of our city, Shreveport Louisiana and with our friends in Bossier City!

Have fun, make some new friends and remember...

Make the Most of the Festival

There are many ways to enjoy the offerings of Prize Fest. In order to get the most out of your time with us, please use the table of contents below to locate the schedule of events, artist biographies, and plan out your Prize Fest experience!

Table of Contents

4. Festival Maps of Events and Nearby Local Businesses

8. Schedule of Festival Events

14. Music Prize Introduction, Musician and Judge Bios

22. Fashion Prize Introduction, Designer and Judge Bios

26. Film Prize Introduction and Voting Explanation

28. Film Prize Screening Schedule and Sample Ballot

31. Descriptions of the Film Prize Short Films

36. Nominees for Best Acting Performance & Film Judge Bios

42. Food Prize Chef, Mixologist, and Judge Bios

52. Comedy Prize Introduction, Comedian and Judge Bios

56. Sponsor Logos (All the folks that make this possible!)

601 Texas Street Theatre

SRAC’s Central Artstation East Bank Theatre

VIP Lounge

Prize Island and Red Carpet

Ticketing, Voting, Merchandise

Pepito XO Restaurant

The Twenty Cafe (Rhino Coffee)

On Time Fashions Clothier

Abby Singer’s Bistro

Refine Clothing & Decor

Appli-K’s Embroidary

The Missing Link Restaurant

Smoker’s City Convenience Store

Pop N Pizza

Tiers of Love Bakery

The Noble Savage Restaurant

First Methodist Church

CROSS THE RED RIVER TO EAST BANK THEATER

*ACROSS THE RED RIVER

Andress Artists & Entreprener Center

BT-FREE

LSU Shreveport provides students with an exceptional education without the cost burden. In fact, many LSUS students graduate with no debt thanks to the many scholarship opportunities afforded to anyone who meets qualifying deadline.

to learn about our scholarships. LSUS.edu

LSUS does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or veteran’s status in its programs and activities; and provides equal access to its programs and activities.

Debt-free Degree is not guaranteed and exclusions may apply.

WEEKEND ONE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

Music Prize: Night 1

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)

The first six finalists take the stage for the first night of live music. See at least three bands and you can vote for the Power to the People winner!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

Music Prize: Night 2

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)

The final six finalists bring down the house for the final night of live music. See at least three bands and you can vote for the Power to the People winner!

Music + Fashion Late Night Party

Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street (11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.)

Celebrate the winners of Music Prize and get ramped up for Fashion Prize at this Saturday night party at Stray Cat, featuring drink specials, music, and camaraderie late into the night.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15

Fashion Prize Showcase and Runway Brunch

Phoenix Nightclub, 400 Commerce St (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Five fashion designers from across the country debut their collections live on the runway to win the grand prize of $2,500 cash. Featuring a special brunch for all Fashion Prize passholders by Chef Anthony Felan of Fat Calf Brasserie plus a cash bar by Phoenix Nightclub.

FREE 21+

WEEKEND TWO SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

Film Prize Screenings Day 1

Robinson, Artstation, Underground (First screening 11:00 a.m., last 4:30 p.m.)

Be the first to see the finalist films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize. The twenty films are separated into two slates of ten films each. You must watch all 19 short films to vote. Full screening schedule on page 28.

Film Prize Red Carpet Event

Prize Island, 700 Block of Texas Street (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

Join the filmmakers and the stars of this year’s Louisiana Film Prize on the red carpet. This event, open to all, will feature photographers, a filmmaker speed date, big toast with special drinks and more, all in the middle of Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

Red Carpet Afterglow Party

Pepito XO Restaurant, 706 Texas Street (10:00 p.m. - midnight)

The party doesn’t stop after the red carpet cameras stop clicking! Join us into the night with special drinks, mocktails, and a quick-service evening menu from Pepito XO just steps away from the red carpet!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

Film Prize Screenings Day 2

All Film Screening Venues (First screening at 9:00 a.m., last at 9:45 p.m.)

Watch the finalist films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize! You must watch all twenty films to vote. Full screening schedule on page 28.

Prize Fest VIP Lounge Opens

Artspace Shreveport, 710 Texas Street (11:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m.)

Film Prize VIP Passholders, artists, and judges can enjoy an open bar, exciting chefcurated meals, cushy lounge spaces, special desserts, and more! This is the place to be when you’re not in line for movies or at a Prize event!

Food Prize: Come and Get It! Dining Experience

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.)

Come and Get It! is the premier food event at Prize Fest which features six local chefs creating one-of-a-kind dishes where you get to judge the winners! All this plus a cocktail competition, desserts, and valet parking. It’s a recipe for a night to remember!

Triple Threat: A Performing Arts Party

The Noble Savage Restaurant & Bar (7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.)

Join us for a celebration of all things performing arts. You do not have to be working in film to attend! Film actors, theatre actors, dancers, musicians, puppeteers, acrobats, singers, etc. If you are a performing artist, you’re invited!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Film Prize Screenings Day 3

All Film Screening Venues (First screening at 9:00 a.m., last at 7:30 p.m.)

Watch the finalist films competing for the up to $50,000 cash prize! You must watch all twenty films to vote. Full screening schedule on page 28.

Film Prize University: Film Industry Panels

Robinson Film Center, 2nd Floor (10:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.)

Industry film producers and heavy hitters talk film with the public at this free Prize Fest event. Filmmakers and film lovers alike are invited to listen and engage with the panelists and discover the magic, and hard work, of making films.

VISIT

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER IS

PROUD TO SUPPORT PRIZE FE ST

For more information on what there is to see, do and experience in Shreveport-Bossier, go to VisitShreveportBossier.org

Comedy Prize Stand-up Showdown

Prize Garage, 211 Market Street (7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.)

Seven comedians from across the country make you laugh out loud at the third annual Comedy Prize event! Uncensored and not recommended for under 18.

Food Prize Celebrity Chef Food Truck Takeover

Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street (9:00 p.m. - sellout)

Celebrity Chef Judges from Food Prize take over a local food truck to create special dishes for this one-night-only Asian-inspired food truck experience.

Big Exhale Prize Fest Closing Toast

Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street (10:00 p.m.)

Come celebrate the biggest, baddest barbaric YAWP ever as we bring home the final night of Prize Fest celebration.

Heaven & Hell Closing Party

Stray Cat Bar, 222 Travis Street (10:00 p.m. — 2:00 a.m.)

12 MUSICAL ACTS. 2 NIGHTS OF MUSIC. BIG CASH PRIZES!

Music Prize is split over two nights at The Garage. Six music acts will perform each night. The Music Prize Mentor Judges will vote for the grand prize winner. Audiences may vote for the Audience Choice winner after they have seen at least three acts perform.

October 13th and 14th 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

The Garage (211 Market St.)

FRIDAY LINEUP

Night one at Music Prize kicks off with an amazing and diverse lineup featuring country, R&B, hip hop, alt rock, and experimental artists. Remember: to vote you must see at least three performances. After each performance, make your way to the voting booth to have your badge punched so that you can vote for your favorites before Music Prize ends!

Reggae Force

Reggae Force is the quintessential reggae band for the 21st century, blending classic roots reggae sound and message with a contemporary edge. Formed in 2011, they’ve carved out a unique authentic sound that pays homage to the greats who came before them. Reggae Force is set to release their debut album, “Tune In,” this year, set to continue the legacy of Bob Marley’s mission to “free the people” with music.

Stone & Snow

Named “Best Folk/Soul Artist” at the 2022 Richmond International Film + Music Festival, Stone & Snow is a Cincinnati-based Americana pair of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, Karen Bridges and Clint Thomson. They have recorded and produced five studio albums since 2012 filled with close harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Karen and Clint are passionate about elevating women in the music industry.

Lvvrs

Formed in South Louisiana on Valentine’s Day, LVVRS (lovers) are a group of young musicians taking cues from current Alt Pop contemporaries as well as your parents’ vinyl collection. These charismatic rockers craft infectious sounds that are a stylish blend of disco pop and 1970s rockn-roll flair. Their live shows couple the power and conviction of modern rockers with the sonic detail of major pop artists.

Octavia the Great and Golia

Octavia was born in Portsmouth, VA. Her superpower is her ability to demonstrate through powerful verses, melodic rap that speaks volumes to all generations. She pulls influence from nearly every genre, & speaks from a place of freedom, power, & redemption. Her latest song “No Bra” expresses the desire many women have to break away from what’s deemed appropriate & empowers them to tap into the greatness within.

Dexter Duran and the Port City Sound

Shreveport native Dexter Duran spent the last decade as a singer/guitarist for The Hollow Decks, an award-winning 90s tribute touring act. Now he is writing & producing his own music with backing band, the Port City Sound. Their first album is set to release fall of 2023, with influences such as Dave Matthews Band, Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20, and Green Day. His shows have tremendous energy and his songs will stick with you.

Deadsled Funeral Company

Deadsled Funeral Company is a New Orleans-based Horror Rock act whose melodies, lyrics, and performances shed light on the romantic side of mortality and the beauty in all things macabre. With influences like My Chemical Romance, Type O Negative, HIM, Ghost, and Avenged Sevenfold, those who bear witness to DSFC are in for a night of spooky, emotive, lustful crooning, melodic and mellifluous instrumentals, and guitar-and-drum-oriented wailing & aggression.

SATURDAY LINEUP

Night two of Music Prize continues with an eclectic lineup of soul, hip hop, folk, rock, indie pop, and R&B. Remember to get your badge punched in order to vote for your favorite artist!

Mr Taylormade and the Taylormade Band

The Taylormade Band is a group of talented and versatile young men/women from Bastrop, Louisiana. They present a unique brand of entertainment, fusing hard-hitting grooves, tight unique vocal harmonies, and mind-blowing solos. Led by the grandson of the late Delta Blues Legend Po’ Henry, Mark Taylor Jr., AKA “Mr Taylormade,” combines funk, soul, R&B, rock and blues in ways that are taylor-made for all audiences.

Jesse Rawlinson

Jesse is Louisiana’s upstate country crooner that captures the soul/ country/songwriter sound of the past. A Shreveport native that sings about pain, heartache, & things that make you think about pain & heartache, Rawlinson along with friends recorded COUNTRY CREAM in three days with Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes). He is also associated with bands CHICKENHAWK, The Booger Brothers, and The Port City Saddnes.

If Scott were to post up with his guitar at a New York subway transfer station—or downtown Austin, for that matter, he might put a dent in the local economy with the number of people who stuck around to listen. Exploring love, loss, heartbreak, desire, self-doubt, ambition, and anxiety his debut self-titled LP, finds strength in vulnerability – and that vulnerability is his armor.

The Christopher Brothers

This alternative pop/rock band from Los Angeles, CA. Their album “Dog Daze,” featuring the single Let Me Out, debuted at No.7 on Billboards Hot Single Sales Chart and ultimately made it to No. 68 on the Top 40 Radio Media Base Chart. The Christopher Brothers have toured throughout the US, performing at venues including the famous Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, and the Time Warner Center in NYC.

Wild Ire

Wild Ire is a project from the Pacific Northwest that began in 2014. With several EPs, a couple full length albums and several singles, they have played from Seattle to Los Angeles to share their music. A fusion of Pop Rock and Progressive Music. Their love of Jazz and Funk makes appearances throughout their melodies and riffs. Wild Ire is loud and fun music with something for everyone to enjoy.

Niki J. Crawford is an American Recording Artist/Songwriter from the small town of Springhill, Louisiana. With her powerful, unforgettable voice, the singer crafts poignant lyrics, creating music with a soul/funk/ R&B sound you can feel with a high energy soul get-down. From her roots as the lead in her church choir to her recently completed tour, her talent has continued to evolve as one of the strongest voices in music.

Niki J. Crawford

Scott Strickland

MUSIC PRIZE MENTOR JUDGES

One of the core components of Prize Fest is not just artists presenting or performing their works, it’s also the professional guidance and exposure to the mentor judges. This year brings many heavyweight mentor judges who can share their experience and insight with competitors and afford them an opportunity to elevate their craft to the next level.

Hugo Burnham

Hugo’s music career started in 1977 as a founding member of Gang of Four. The band are considered creatively ground-breaking, with artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, and Nirvana citing them as highly influential. After Gang of Four, Hugo worked as a Manager before joining Island Records in NYC as an A&R rep. He went on to work with Quincy Jones at Qwest Records and then at EMI Music in Los Angeles before starting his teaching career in Boston in 2000.

Maggie Gaus

Maggie works in the Film Music Department at Universal Pictures under the President. She began her work in music supervision with an independent supervision company assisting with the creative and licensing on TV and film projects for Netflix, Amazon, HBO Max, and Disney+.

Sonya Kolowrat

Sonya Kolowrat has 25+ years of music industry experience and works at The Beggars Group of labels, where she has been for nearly 20 years. She began her career in the publicity department of the legendary label Rykodisc, and spent much of her career handling press campaigns for a variety of artists. She is now Beggars US Director of Catalog and works closely with label artists to maximize their catalog efforts.

Shannon Ligon

Shannon is the founder and managing member of PrettySMART Law. Her experience covers Entertainment, Media & Business Law where she has successfully worked within the entertainment industry for over ten years. She has negotiated record, film, TV licensing and sports deals against Warner Brothers, HBO Sports, and Sony and has worked on publishing deals for producers’ work on Kanye West, 50 Cent, & more.

Chris Musgrave

Chris has over twenty years of experience. He is a sought-after live events consultant. From tour management, event production, logistics, and financials, he excels at creating a creative environment. He is the Chief Innovation Officer for the event production powerhouse OSA International and serves as the Director of the annually held Live Production Summit - the leading conference for live events.

Candace Newman is the CEO and Founder of LIVE OUT L!VE, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging marginalized teens and young adults to pursue careers in live entertainment. Candace began her career at Universal Music Group, then moved to being a Live Nation Tour Executive, booking, producing, and promoting major artists like Rihanna, David Blaine, and the Backstreet Boys. Her experience and leadership position allowed her to spearhead inclusive efforts for women in the entertainment industry.

Candace Newman

Randy Nichols

Randy was an early innovator and thought leader in the live streaming market after producing some of the earliest successful streaming events. He has guided artists to Gold records and Grammy nominations and is regularly invited to speak about artist management, live streaming, merchandise and technology at conferences including SXSW, CMJ, Launch Music Conference, & Montauk Music Festival. Randy has managed Beach Slang, Vacationer, Bayside, Underoath, The Starting Line, Say Anything, Aaron Gillespie and The Almost.

Chris Riemenschneider

Chris has been a music critic at Minneapolis’ The Star Tribune since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out in “Play That Funky Music (White Boy)”. He authored “First Avenue: Minnesota’s Mainroom” and has worked as a music critic at the Austin-American Statesman. Chris has written for the L.A. Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, and Dallas Morning News and contributed to “The SXSW Scrapbook” and “Whole Lotta Led Zepplin”.

Michael Robinson

Michael coordinates programming for BandLab Opportunities via ReverbNation. A former full-time touring bassist, he’s worked in the music and technology space for over a decade and is passionate about supporting emerging and DIY artists.

Tony Scalzo

Tony Scalzo is a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Austin based rock band, Fastball. The band formed in 1994, and after playing throughout the southwest, they were signed to Hollywood Records. In 1998, Fastball were nominated for two Grammy awards, after their platinum-selling album, ‘All The Pain Money Can Buy,’ put them in the international spotlight. They released a new live album this fall, Smashed Hits: Live from the Saxon Pub, on Sunset Blvd. Records.

Jay Weigel

Jay Weigel is a distinguished composer, producer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, and contractor for film, TV, recordings, and concerts. Based in LA, New Orleans and Nashville, he has worked in the film and TV industry since 1984. His recent scores can be heard in films like Interview with the Vampire, The Campaign, Green Lantern, & Paradise Lost. He recently arranged the works of Big Freedia and the Lost Bayou Ramblers for concerts with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jeremy Weiss

Jeremy Weiss is the founder and owner of The CI Companies, the umbrella brand of his career endeavors: CI Records (label), LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival, CI Productions, CI Design & Printing, & the Christmas Burns Red Festival. CI Records (est. 1987) has signed notable acts, such as August Burns Red, Texas In July, The Pink Spiders, Hawk, Carousel Kings, Vision, Sense Field, The Pavers, and many more.

Jai Yoko

Jai is a pioneering leader in the music industry, educating rising creatives on what the industry purposely keeps hidden, using her skills and wit to ensure the next generation of stars don’t lose their footing on their way to the top. Jai owns and operates Jai Yoko Entertainment, a Consulting and Creative Development Agency that assists creatives in building successful careers in entertainment without the help of a label.

Shreveport’s only premier boutique providing luxurious accommodations in

Fashion Prize features five fashion designer finalists who will debut a collection of six looks on the Fashion Prize runway at Phoenix Nightclub. Guests will enjoy not only a fashion runway show, but also a special brunch by Food Prize Golden Fork chef Anthony Felan of Fat Calf Brasserie!

Meet the Fashion Designers

These five designers were selected. Now they will debut their original fashion collections live for you and a celebrity panel of judges! Each collection will feature six looks which have been painstakingly crafted for your enjoyment and each will be judged by this year’s Fashion Prize mentor judges. The grand prize winner will walk away with $2,500 cash!

Jazzmyne Cry (J Nikole)

Jazzmyne is a multidisciplinary artist based in New Orleans, LA. Cry is a student of life, first and foremost, knowing that nature holds the keys. Her goal is to bring awareness to one’s own body and attention to sacred spaces within it. Bringing that energy into her work, Jazzmyne finds herself enveloped in fashion and textile design, jewelry design, hair styling, painting, creative consulting and direction, and photography.

Kristine Pichon (K’Pich Designs)

Kristine is the owner and head designer of K’Pich Designs. Born and raised in New Orleans, she loved sewing and illustration at a young age and went on to get a degree in Fine Arts from Xavier University as well as a degree in Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design. She then returned to New Orleans to develop her brand K’Pich Designs for custom women’s clothing and accessories.

Marwan Pleasant (MARLENCE)

Marwan Pleasant is a talented emerging artist striving for greatness. Born and raised in New Orleans, Marwan has been masking in the Mardi Gras Indian culture since an early age. Practicing the skill & techniques used to build his elaborate hand crafted suits, he adapted a niche for the use of glass beads, pearls, rhinestones and storytelling through his pieces. When not creating, he mentors aspiring young designers in his community.

Frank Robertson (H.I.M Studios)

Frank is a fashion/handbag designer, engineering technologist and a sheet metal fabricator, committed to sustainability and ethical practices. He’s passionate about upcycling and repurposing and featuring unconventional materials like tarp, bike tires, and vintage fabrics/textiles to redefine eco-conscious fashion. He takes pride in designing functional and durable handbags/garments that make bold fashion statements while representing responsible consumption. His aim is to lead the way towards a conscious and ethically-driven fashion landscape.

Samantha Viti (VITI)

Samantha was raised in Phoenix, AZ, and discovered her passion for fashion design during her time at Arizona State University. Samantha’s love of travel and nature inspires a lot of her work as well as a for womens’ evening wear with a focus on couture techniques and fabric manipulation. Her signature design juxtaposes hugging silhouettes with exploded details such as sleeves and bubble-like shapes. Samantha has relocated to New York to expand her horizons in the fashion industry.

Meet the Fashion Mentor Judges

Jaime Barker

Jaime founded Flagpole NYC, a women’s luxury swimwear brand, which was internationally known in the industry for its uncompromising quality, fit, and functionality. Flagpole successfully sold in stores like Barneys, Net-a-Porter, and Saks and was featured in Instyle, Vogue, and Harpers Bazaar. Since closing the business in 2020, she has turned her attention to working with start-up fashion businesses focusing on product development, pitching to investors, and garment production.

Tracee Dundas

Tracee is the Founder and Executive Producer of New Orleans Fashion Week. She has been a fashion pioneer since receiving her degree in fashion and apparel design from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Dundas is also a freelance fashion stylist, contributing fashion editor to numerous publications, has worked in the film industry as a costumer and wardrobe stylist. Clients such as Essence, Nike, Saks, Macy’s, and Dillard’s continually call upon her styling expertise.

Stephen Goudeau

Stephen is the visionary head designer and CEO of his eponymous fashion brand, Stephen Goudeau. Emerging from the unexpected fashion realm of Shreveport, LA, far from the iconic fashion hub of New York City, Goudeau embodies the essence of following one’s dreams regardless of geographical constraints. Through his inspiring journey, he has become a beacon of hope and encouragement for aspiring artists, proving that anything is possible and achievable.

WATCH THE Short films. VOTE FOR BEST FILM.

VOTE FOR BEST PERFORMANCE.

At twelve years old, Louisiana Film Prize is our longest-running prize competition. To participate, watch all 19 short films (split into two slates — Teal and Orange) and then vote for your favorites to help determine the winner!

October 19th thru 21st

See Screening + Event Schedule

Ticket Booth + Voting at 700 Texas St.

Why Film Prize is awesome.

Film Prize is one of the most exciting and unique film festivals you’ll ever experience. MovieMaker Magazine listed Film Prize as one of the best film festivals on the planet two years running! Part of what sets Film Prize apart is our gigantic $50,000 cash grand prize — the largest cash prize of its kind in the world — and how the winner is selected.

How the film voting works.

In order to vote for the grand prize winner, you must possess a Film Prize badge and you must see all 19 short films. The films are divided into two (2) programs of ten (10) films and nine (9) films. These programs are called “Teal Slate” and “Orange Slate”.

Once you have seen one slate of films (you may choose either slate to start), get your Film Prize badge punched by an usher immediately after the screening and before you leave the venue. You MUST have been present in the auditorium for the entire program. No late entries are permitted. Anyone leaving early (including bathroom breaks outside of intermission) will not be allowed to have their pass punched. A brief intermission will accompany each slate after the first five films for nature calls and concession purchase.

After you have seen both slates and you have had your pass punched, you may cast your ballot at an official Film Prize Voting Station. All Louisiana Film Prize ballot results are tallied and certified by EisnerAmper, the largest Louisianabased public accounting firm.

How the best performance voting works.

Best Performance is a non-gendered award for the best acting performance in Film Prize 2023. Each film received one nominated performance for consideration. Audiences and judges will each vote for three of their favorite performers. The Film Prize Mentor Judges will count for 50% of the vote and audiences will count for the other 50% of the total vote, just like the Film Prize Grand Prize winner.

Film Prize Screening Schedule

The 19 films are divided into 2 programs (“Slates”) of 10 films and 9 films, respectively. These programs are Teal Slate and Orange Slate. Use the list below to find a showtime with the slate color you want to see!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

BOSSIER: EAST BANK

CENTRAL ARTSTATION

ROBINSON FILM CENTER

601 TEXAS ST

RANK THE BEST PERFORMANCES

Write “1” in the box next to your overall favorite. Write “2” in the box next to your second favorite. Write “3” in the box next to your third favorite. You MUST vote for three performers and may only use each number once.

Write “1” in the box next to your overall favorite.

Write “2” in the box next to your second favorite. Write “3” in the box next to your third favorite. You MUST vote for three films and may only use each number once.

loving you is complicated off sides

suit black suit

of fire

war

the yellow bird

bug the candy lady the capitalist caught on tape clownfish criterion dead flesh for the love of balls

THE MUSIC NEVER STOPS.

The Artiste

An aging street mime is forced to confront an ever-looming threat that could destroy the only life he knows.

Directed by David Michael Long

Produced by David Michael Long, Alexander Jeffery, Paul Petersen

Cinematography by Alexander Jeffery

Edited by David Michael Long

Music Composed by Peter Stopschinski

Starring David Michael Long , Paul Petersen

Bug

Two siblings living in the apocalypse, torn between different ideas on life in the end times.

Directed and Caleb Lemon

Cinematography by Caleb Lemon & Clayton Henderson

Produced by Clayton Henderson

Starring Miah Pettigrew, Caleb Lemon

Cinematography by Ben Tuxen

Edited by Caleb Lemon

Music Composed by Johnum Palado & Kirby L. Jennings

The Candy Lady

Debra, a neighborhood candy lady whose quiet day goes awry when she, unbeknownst to her, awakens a magical typewriter bringing all of her short stories to life.

Written and Directed by Monique Morton Derouselle

Produced by Monique Morton Derouselle, Chris Jones

Cinematography by Matt Valentin

Edited by Chris Jones

Music Composed by Peter Stopschiniski

The Capitalist

Brian, a veteran of the hospitality world, is starting a new venture into marijuana distribution when his private poker game is infiltrated by an enterprising young man.

Directed by Gian Francisco Smith

Produced by Gian Francisco Smith

Cinematography by E’Jaaz Mason

Edited by Chris Vincent

Starring Jaren Mitchell, Nicoye Banks, Idella Johnson

Caught on Tape

When Finn can’t get a word out in front of his high school crush, his playground pals convince him that watching a porno tape will solve all his problems.

Directed by Chris Alan Evans and Alexander Jeffery

Produced by Chris Alan Evans

Starring Finnegan Collins, Chris Alan Evans

Cinematography by Alexander Jeffery

Edited by J.C. Doler

Clownfish

Frank and Elle decide to meet in real life after connecting on a dating app…. That’s when things get weird.

Written and Directed by Clayton Henderson

Produced by Tamra Corley Davis

Cinematography by Alexander Jeffery

Edited by J.C. Doler

Starring Joshua Munds, Melissa Munds, Chris Alan Evans, SheilaVA

Music Composed by Bence Farkas

Criterion

A young artist navigates the brutal world of art criticism and competition.

Directed by Jeremy Enis

Produced by Tamra Corley Davis, Jeremy Enis, Melissa Enis

Cinematography by Jeremy Enis

Edited by Jeremy Enis

Music Composed by Nine Inch Nails

Starring Camille Gladney, Wendell Riley

Dead Flesh

A young boxer’s traumatic upbringing forces him to face his greatest foe in the ring: himself.

Written and Directed by Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz

Produced by Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz, Gus Murray, Zach Johnson

Cinematography by Joewi Verhoeven

Edited by Zach Johnson

Music Composed by Alain Emile

Starring Joseph Dodson, Joshua Dodson, Carter Carroll, Elias Ferguson, Aries Sanders

For the Love of Balls

The tennis battle of the century. Retired old timer, vs. an arrogant newcomer. Winner takes all.

Directed by Geno and Josh Munds

Produced by Josh Munds

Cinematography by Josh Munds

Edited by Melissa and Josh Munds

Starring Geno Munds, Jay Whatley, Susan Kirton

I Am...

After losing his memory, Bruce must rely on his family to help him get it back, but it may require more than he expects.

Directed by Matthew Eli Judd and Carlos Jimenez

Written by Jannet Lopez and Carlos Jimenez

Produced by Stephen Buchness, Brandon Campbell, Carols Jimenez, Matthew Eli Judd, Jannet Lopez

Cinematography by Brad Michaels

Edited by Charlie Gemini

Starring Matthew Eli Judd, Michele Rossi, Catalina Cielo, Brandon Campbell

Jamgasm

Two best friends confront the gritty truths of chaasing the rockstar life and learn what it truly means to be in a band.

Written and Directed by Christine W. Chen

Produced by Megan Colvin, Christine W. Chen , Eric Gibson , Chris Alan Evan s

Cinematography by Christine W. Chen

Edited by Christine W. Chen

Music Composed by Nick Longoria

Starring Eric Gibson, Chris Alan Evans

Legacy

A young teen goes on a road trip with his family and uncovers a family secret that turns his world inside out.

Directed by RJ Rosasco

Written by RJ Rosasco, Tricia Correia

Produced by RJ Rosasco, Tricia Correia, Tori Thomas

Cinematography by RJ Rosasco, Gio March

Edited by RJ Rosasco

Music Composed by RJ Rosasco, Various Artists

Starring Jonathan Rosasco, Gio March, RJ Rosasco

Loving You is Complicated

A young musician attempts to create a new song following the tragic death of his best friend.

Written and Directed by Charles Christian Jones

Produced by Hannah Garrahy, Larry Jones, Heath Jones

Cinematography by Drew Brinkman

Edited by Charles Christian Jones

Starring Eric Carney, KC Simms, Laine Berry Miler

Off Sides

A camera crew follows an elementary aged sports team to discover the true reasons as to why they play soccer.

Written and Directed by Kaitlyn Brown

Produced by Kaitlyn Brown, Melissa Goslin

Cinematography by Rob Senska

Edited by Melissa Goslin

Music Composed by Micheal Brown

Starring Shannon Bamburg, Anne Brown, Arms Brown, Kaitlyn Brown, Josh Talley, Lauren Treme, Logan Sledge, Presley Britt, Annabelle Johnson

Pink Suit Black Suit

Attending an art show, Bianca struggles to relax amidst a sea of voices telling her what to do.

Directed by Jacob and Jaya McSharma

Written by Jaya McSharma

Produced by Josh Munds

Cinematography by Alexander Jeffery

Edited by Taylor Bracewell and J.C. Doler

Starring Jaya McSharma, Melissa Munds

Tongues of Fire

A supernatural event forces three men to work together after removing their ability to communicate.

Written and Directed by Carlos Jimenez

Produced by Stephen Buchness, Brandon Campbell, Carlos Jimenez, Matthew Eli Judd

Cinematography by Carlos Jimenez

Edited by Carlos Jimenez

Starring Brandon James Campbell, Matthew Eli Judd, Gil Angelo Anfone

Wedding War

When the mother of the bride arrives at a cake tasting, she discovers that her daughter is in cahoots with her arch-nemesis — the groom’s mother.

Directed by Hannah Dorsett Floyd

Written by Jennifer Moorhead, Liz Talley

Produced by Adam Kinyon

Cinematography by Riede Dervay

Edited by Anya Swanson

Music Composed by Evan Sox

Starring Stephanie Cearley, Maggie Crosby, Gio March, Gabriela Quiñones

Xulectra

Tensions rise as a meticulous casting director deals with a temperamental director to find the perfect lead actor for a nuanced prescription drug commercial.

Directed by Brandon Kotfila

Written by Joel Ellis, Steven Milner

Produced by Joel Ellis, Brandon Kotfila

Cinematography by Peter Phillips

Edited by Brandon Kotfila

Starring Doug Spearman, Joel Ellis, Cindy Pol

The Yellow Bird

A young woman who discovers her freedom in a magical cottage on the bayou of Louisiana.

Written and Directed by Jaclyn Bethany

Produced by Jaclyn Bethany

Cinematography by Irene Gomez-Emilsson

Edited by Shannon Griffin

Starring Elizabeth Yeoman

Viva la

The parish of Caddo is proud to be a sponsor of

Congratulations and good luck to this year’s talented musicians, comedians, filmmakers, culinary artists, and fashion designers!

Erica R. Bryant Parish Administrator/CEO

Roy A. Burrell

Caddo Commission President

Meet the Nominees for Best Performance at Film Prize

All nominees are competing for one winning spot. Audiences and judges will each vote for three of their favorite performers. The Film Prize Mentor Judges will count for 50% of the vote and audiences will count for the other 50% of the total vote, just like the Film Prize Grand Prize winner. On your ballot, you will mark a number “1” in your first favorite performer, “2” for your second favorite performer, and “3” for your third favorite performer.

caleb lemon Bug

david michael long The Artiste

cheryl shelton The Candy Lady

nicoye banks The Capitalist

chris alan v Caught on Tape

camille gladney Criterion

joshua & sheilava Clownfish

jay watley For the Love of Balls

eric gibson Jamgasm

gio march Legacy

matthew eli judd I Am...

joseph dodson Dead Flesh

LSU Health Shreveport faculty, staff and students are actively engaged in research and advancing discovery across a variety of biomedical areas, with concentrations in cancer, cardiovascular disease, virology, neuroscience, addiction and immunology.

shannon bamburg

JAYA MCSHARMA Pink Suit Black Suit brandon james campbell Tongues of Fire

stephanie cearley Wedding War

elizabeth yeoman The Yellow Bird doug spearman Xulectra

Meet the Film Prize Judges

Kevin Arbouet

Kevin is a writer, director, and producer whose career has been about expanding the idea of what diversity in filmmaking means. Formerly the Vice President of Lee Daniels Entertainment, Kevin now serves as VP of Podcasts & Adaptations at Blue Monday. As a Black and Latino writer/director, he was listed as Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch by MovieMaker Magazine and loves to defy stereotyped expectations. His next film, Big Bad Billie Gunn , was listed on the Academy Awards Nicholls Fellowship and is being produced by Shannon McIntosh ( Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ) for Quentin Tarantino.

Sharon Badal

Sharon is former VP, Programming for Tribeca Film Festival and was with the festival since its inception. At Tribeca she programmed short films for the festival’s Academy qualifying competition programs and worked with partnerships and Tribeca leadership year-round on different initiatives, special projects and events. She spent ten years in distribution and marketing for three major studios followed by extensive live-event producing experience. Sharon is recognized as a Distinguished Teacher at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is the author of Swimming Upstream – A Lifesaving Guide to Short Film Distribution, published by Focal Press.

Bonnie Discepolo

Bonnie is a Los Angeles based actor and filmmaker who was raised in New England. As an actor Bonnie can currently be seen in theatres around the world in: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 (2023), Shazam: Fury of The Gods (2023), Hypnotic , and as a lead guest star on season 8 of Chicago Med . As a filmmaker Bonnie writes and directs narrative films with female protagonists that deal with themes of bodily autonomy. Their upcoming book: “book more work, story for actors” will be released in 2024.

Colette Freedman

Colette is a screenwriter, novelist, and playwright. She has produced 11 thrillers for Lifetime and written 10 novels. Colette co-produced the award-winning film Quality Problems (2017), which is currently on VOD, and LA Film Festival winner, And Then There Was Eve (2017). Her film Miles Underwater is in post-production and her film Meli is currently filming in Hawaii. Colette is a top Hollywood script doctor and ghostwriter.

Moon Molson

Moon‘s short films Pop Fool (2007), Crazy Beats Strong Every Time (2011), and The Bravest, the Boldest (2014), all premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, have screened at over 250 international film festivals, and won over 100 awards worldwide, including the Grand Jury Prizes at Palm Springs, South by Southwest (SXSW), and the Student Academy Award. He was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2007 and was a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow in FilmVideo and a 2017 Pew Foundation Fellow in the Arts.

Lisa Ogdie

Lisa is a Short Film Programmer for the Sundance Film Festival. She has been part of the shorts programming team since 2009, selecting the short film slate from over 10,000 submissions each year, and has curated shorts for the Durban Film Festival in South Africa. In addition to her work at Sundance, Ogdie is also Head of Cinema Programming in North America for Soho House & Co, providing members with exclusive access to the most exciting titles in film and television being distributed each year.

Paul Sloop

Paul has been the lead programmer of short films for the Oscar qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival since 2002. He is also the Director of Programming for both Film Pittsburgh and the Cordillera International Film Festival in Reno/Tahoe, NV. He is the proud father of seven daughters and one son and lives in Mentor, OH with Sarah, his wonderful wife of over 20 years.

Ben Thompson

After Ben joined the Tribeca Film Festival, he discovered a passion for short-form storytelling and creativity and began working with the programming team watching film submissions. In 2010 he became the Shorts Programmer for the festival. Ben is fascinated by the influence film has on our world and culture and travels to search for new stories from around the globe. He has watched over 11,000 short films for Tribeca Film Festival.

Jhennifer Webberly

Jhennifer is an independent producer/editor and founding member of Metamorfic Productions LLC which has produced critically acclaimed feature films as well as several award-winning shorts/music videos. Currently, Jhennifer is a director on the short LGBTQ short documentary, My Senior Summer, and is a producer on the feature 7000 Miles. She has recently ventured into producing Virtual Reality Projects and is about to release her book series, “An Indie Filmmaker’s Guide to Creating Virtual Reality Content.”

12 local CHEFS.

3 cocktail creators. taste the prize!

Food Prize is a unique culinary competition that pairs twelve local chefs from Northwest Louisiana. Together they create six unique dishes to compete for your vote! Plus three mixologists will create custom cocktails for you to taste and vote on!

Friday, October 20th

7:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.

The Garage (211 Market St.)

What is Food Prize?

Since 2015, the Food Prize has focused on cultivating and evolving the culinary culture of the Northwest Louisiana region. The result of this effort has put our region on the map as a burgeoning hotspot for food and drink, and this year’s Food Prize is back with a vengeance!

The Golden Fork Society and Dinner Series (which happens during the spring and summer) gives our local chefs an opportunity to flex their culinary muscles through a series of dinners — along with a chance to build their businesses and clientele. The three highest-scoring chefs from each Golden Fork Dinner Session will be paired with six sous chefs, providing opportunities for collaboration, inspiration, and resources for professional growth... and delicious dishes for you to indulge in!

But Come and Get It doesn’t stop there... quench your passion for handcrafted cocktails with three cocktails created by our Golden Shaker local mixologists! Attendees cast their votes for audience favorite chef team as well as help choose the Golden Shaker champion!

For life’s moments, big and small. We’re here with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

CHEFS MEGAN CHAVEZ & ROBYNE MOORE

The Dish: Gnocchi Vidalia Onion- Broth-braised onion, parsnip gnocchi, shallot-thyme cream, Gruyere, white truffle

Megan Chavez Owner, Prepped Up Meals

Megan is a busy mom, wife, business owner, and chef. She has been cooking since age six with her grandma who taught her the importance of organic food long before it was trendy. She loves cooking healthy food that makes people feel great, but she’s not afraid to use a little of heat, salt, and fat when the occasion calls for some big smiles.

Robyne Moore Chef, Island Vibes

Chef Robyne serves up authentic Jamaican cuisine with her mobile restaurant, Island Vibes. She attributes her unique palate to being brought up in a diverse New Jersey neighborhood. When she found out her daughter would be having her first baby, she relocated to Monroe, LA. Moore found a home at Milam Street Kitchen Incubator & Community Kitchen (MSKICK) in Shreveport where they prepared meals for the community. She has since added service in her food truck.

CHEFS ANTHONY FELAN & CINDY JOHNSON

The Dish: Gulf tuna with uni emulsion cornet, ikura, yuzu vinegar, black truffle dust

Anthony Felan Owner/Executive Chef Fat Calf Brasserie

Anthony is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco. His love for Louisiana and family brought him back home in 2010 where he joined Wine Country Bistro as Executive Chef. In 2017, he opened his food truck Fat Calf Boucherie, and in 2019, he and his wife, Amanda opened Fat Calf Brasserie, a farm-fresh and slow food concept with a French influence that Chef Anthony is well known for.

Cindy Johnson Owner, Southern Faire

Chef Cindy comes from a long line of Southern & Country Cooks. Growing up she had daily culinary instruction from her mother, Joan Gleason. In 2011, Johnson received her MBA from Centenary College where she focused on creating a food and coffee business, leaving behind a 30 year marketing career to follow her heart into food. Her first venture was Cafe Camellia, a pop-up business that ultimately became Southern Faire.

CHEFS RYAN GILLESPIE & VAL BENN

The Dish: Seared and Sliced Beef - savory reduction, earthy creamy flavors, herbs and spices.

Ryan Gillespie Culinary Arts Instructor, BPSTIL

Ryan has over 20 years in the industry, with over 10 years as Executive Chef in casinos, including The Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, Harrah’s, Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, Boomtown, Casperkill Country Club, Cortland Colonial Restaurant and Ballroom, and Boston Mills & Brandywine Ski Resorts. He currently trains future chefs at Bossier Parish School for Technology & Innovative Learning (BPSTIL).

Val Benn Executive Chef, The Pearl

Val is a newcomer to the Food Prize family. She started as Head Chef at The Noble Savage before making her way to head up the kitchen at Shreveport’s newest oyster house, The Pearl. Val is hungry to make a name and a mark on the food scene.

CHEFS HARDETTE HARRIS & CHRIS HAYES

The Dish: Braised Pork Shoulder with a Mayhaw Honey Sauce, Pureed Roasted Rutabagas, and Greens

Hardette Harris Owner, Us Up North

Chef Hardette Harris created the official meal of North Louisiana, only the second official meal in the US, unanimously passed during the 2015 Louisiana Legislative session. She invites you to her table to enjoy a few dishes from the official meal to experience authentic food of the rural American south, designed to treat you like family. You will enjoy an old fashioned southern meal served family style and learn how to prepare hot water cornbread or pick and wash greens.

Chris Hayes Executive Chef, The Smoking Oyster

Chris was born in Shreveport and fell in love with cooking watching his elders joyfully prepare food for family gatherings. Chris began his career at 15 as a dishwasher at a local pizza restaurant. After graduating from Grambling State University, he enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Louisiana Technical Community college. He went on to work in a host of northwest Louisiana’s top hotels, restaurants, and gaming venues before accepting an executive chef position in New Orleans, Louisiana.

CHEFS JOHN STRAND & TOOTIE MORRISON

The Dish: Lingonberry-Glazed Duck Filets Over Stoneground Truffle and Goat Cheese Grits with Butter Fried Artichoke Bottoms

John Strand Owner, Accents Personal Chef Service

John entered the U.S. Army at only 17 and gained classic culinary education and experience during his 24 years of service. Upon Strand’s retirement, he settled in the Shreveport-Bossier area, and in 2006, he created Accents Personal Chef Service, a testament and reflection of his world travels. His personal and intimate food experiences are exclusively tailored to each client who enjoy fine dining the way it was meant to be.

Tootie Morrison Owner, Earnestly Tootie’s Chef Services

Tootie is the owner-chef of Earnestly Tooties Chef Services. In 2015 she became the Louisiana Food Prize Battle for the Golden Fork champion, appeared on the Food Network, and was recognized as one of Louisiana Life Magazine’s Great Louisiana Chefs of 2017. Tootie would go on to win Food Prize twice more in 2020 and 2021.

CHEFS DYLAN TEEKELL & BRANDON SOOTER

The Dish: Artemis Carpaccio - Smoked koji and coffee elk, egg yolk cream, black truffle mousse, pomegranate caviar, Parmesan tuile, wild herbs.

Dylan Teekell Co-Chef, Ghost Ramen

Dylan comes from a family of restaurateurs in Shreveport, but has carved his own path working back of house in many local eateries before teaming up with Chef Jon Ortiz at The Noble Savage Tavern. Following their success with ramen nights, the pair started Ghost Ramen which opened a food truck at The Lot in downtown Shreveport. Now in its brick & mortar residency, Ghost Ramen serves lunch Monday-Friday.

Brandon Sooter Executive Chef, Bella Fresca

Brandon was born in Marshall, Texas and has spent the last 20 years making a name for himself in the Shreveport culinary scene. He began cooking after his parents divorced to help his mom out and never really stopped. He worked his way up through the kitchen ranks before making a name for himself in the community. He was invited to help open the kitchen at downtown’s renovated Noble Savage and then was the Executive Chef at Bella Fresca.

The Golden Shaker Mixologists

Nick Baden Bartender, Cypres by Revenir

Nick is a bartender at Cypress by the Revenir. The restaurant prides itself on using local ingredients in new and innovative ways, not only with their food, but also in the craft cocktails, craft beer, and unique wines they offer. This is his first year to compete for the Golden Shaker.

Nick’s drink features Boodles Gin

Taneia Benn General Manager, The Pearl Shreveport

Taneia is the General Manager of one of Shreveport’s newest restaurants, The Pearl. There she helps run the bar program, serving up classic and creative cocktails. She’s excited to put her skills to the test at this year’s Golden Shaker competition.

Taneia’s drink features Maestro Dobel Silver Tequila

Chase Boytim Owner, Fatty Arbuckle’s Pub

Chase has been a bar professional for almost twenty years. Founding bars such as 211 Martini Lounge, Stir, Aura and owner/ operator of Fatty Arbuckle’s, Chase has been bartending and running bar programs since 2004. His passion is cocktail culture, spirits, and whiskey.

Chase’s Drink: ”Coffee and Contemplation”. Featuring Tin Cup bourbon, espresso, vanilla de Madagascar, macadamia nut liqueur.

Featured Dessert Cocktail

Peter Lyons Owner, Lyons’ Pride Coffee

With a journey spanning several decades, Peter Lyons has been an active figure in the catering and craft beverage industry since the mid-1980s. Passionate about forging meaningful connections through exceptional customer service, Peter weaves captivating narratives into handcrafted drinks that leave a lasting impression.

Peter’s Dessert Cocktail: “The Long Kiss Goodnight” — Three Olives Vodka, coffee, goji berry, orange peel, hand-crafted dark cocoa nibs bitters.

Meet the Food Prize Judges

Joshua Boneé

Joshua is a highly skilled culinary artist renowned for his love fresh ingredients and his talent for creating exceptional flavor combinations. With a varied culinary background and a strong sense of creativity, Boneé has amassed a devoted following and enjoys a respected reputation within the culinary world. Throughout his career, Josh has held the position of Executive Chef at numerous beloved establishments in Dallas, TX while also lending his expertise to consulting projects and pioneering innovative restaurant concepts across the country.

Tim Carman

Tim is a James Beard Award-winning food writer and columnist for The Washington Post. His work has appeared in numerous editions of the “Best Food Writing” collection. He has also written for Imbibe magazine, American Scholar and other publications. Before joining The Post, he served as food editor and columnist for Washington City Paper. He lives in Hyattsville, Md., with his wife, the writer M. Carrie Allan, and their two bad dogs.

Eppie Connolly

Last year’s Golden Fork award winner, Eppie is the Executive Sous Chef and Pastry Chef at Adachi in Birmingham, Michigan where she and her team specialize in Japanese inspired cuisine. Her culinary passion began at the youthful age of 9 while helping her grandma and mother prepare street market food each day in their coastal Philippines province on the island of Pinamungajan, Cebu. In 2017, Chef Eppie was presented the Outstanding Student Culinarian Award by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) - Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association.

Tristen Epps

Tristen Epps is the culinary force behind Bacchanal&Fyah, a combo of casual hot dogs juxtaposed with a refined Afro Caribbean cuisine that shows the diaspora of Black food around the world. His passion for unique cuisine began early & carried him through a grueling apprenticeship at the renowned Greenbrier Hotel. He was crowned Chopped Champion on Food Network.

Josh Harmon

2017 Eater Chef of the Year & CultureMap Tastemaker nominee, Chef Josh Harmon, was named one of the best chefs to look out for in the US by Zagat. He trained in NYC at some of the best restaurants in the country. After consulting around the country, Josh returned to Dallas, where he opened Birdie. Birdie recently received D Magazine’s Best New Restaurant award, the Top 10 Best Restaurants in Dallas by USA Today, and best fried chicken by Thrillist.

Laura Saria

A native Californian and proud ASU Sun Devil, Lauren Saria has been eating food and writing about it for more than a decade in Arizona and California. She lives in the Bay Area and runs Eater SF, covering the best food in San Francisco and Northern California. She is the co-chair of the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Award committee. She dislikes ketchup and barbecue sauce but will never say no to a lacyedged smashburger or a bowl of cheesy pasta.

Akino West

expertise

ay Area restaurants and dining, Arizona nts and d ening, Hawaiian food and culture

Chef Akino began his culinary career in his hometown, Riviera Beach, FL. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Miami, he worked in some of Miami’s top restaurants before staging at NOMA (Copenhagen, Denmark), 2014’s #1 restaurant in the world. In 2018, he opened The Copper Door B&B, a concept that put Overtown, Miami, a historically black neighborhood on the map. In 2020, West developed an all-day brunch concept called Rosie’s with a menu that pays homage to soul food he grew up eating and cooking with his mother.

Californian and proud ASU Sun Devil, Lauren Saria has been eating food ing about it for more than a decade in Arizona and California. She lives in Area and runs Eater SF, covering the best restaurants, bars, and bakeries in ncisco and across Northern California She is the co-chair of the James oundation’s Restaurant and Chef Award committee, graduated from the Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media, and won the Best Food Feature om the Association of Food Journalists in 2015 She dislikes ketchup and e sauce but will never say no to a lacy-edged smashburger or a bowl of asta.

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Meredith Casey

Meredith is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor from New Jersey and based in Los Angeles. Meredith taped a Comedy Central Featuring set that came out in September of this year. She is an award-winning writer, her work taking first place in the Slamdance TV Pilot Script Competition and the Austin Revolution Film Festival. You can see Meredith in the critically acclaimed feature films, The Beta Test and Greener Grass. Meredith is repped by WME. She is currently seeking management.

Chris Grace

Chris is an actor and comedian best known for playing Jerry in the NBC sitcom Superstore and Christian Grey in the off-Broadway musical parody “50 Shades! The Musical”. He is a member of Baby Wants Candy (BWC), a Chicago-based comedy ensemble which has performed in the U.S. and abroad. Grace is also a regular performer in Magic to Do: Musical Improv held at UCB Sunset.

Bo Johnson

Bo is a comedian from Seattle, Washington. He can be found headlining clubs, breweries, and dingy bars across the United States and sometimes Canada. His stand up was featured on season two of Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City on Comedy Central. The following summer Bo taped a set for LOL Live! at the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

BT Kingsley

BT is making his mark on the big and small screen and on comedy stages from Hollywood to NYC, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. In 2017, after numerous TV appearances including Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City, Kingsley was awarded his first TV stand-up special, Next Level. Both were on Comedy Central and produced by Hart. Other TV stand-up credits include Off The Chain on Bounce TV and Laff Mobb’s

Orion Levine

Orion is a stand up comedian from the Bay Area, currently based out of Los Angeles. He has appeared on the Late Late Show with James Corden, was named a New Face at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in 2022, appeared at New York Comedy Festival, was featured on Netflix Radio, won So Cal’s Funniest Comic in 2023, and was a finalist at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2021.

Wellington Ojukwu

Straight out of Arkansas, comedian Wellington Ojukwu comes to make you laugh even if he has to tickle you himself. Ojukwu made his TV Debut on Fox Station Laughs TV show , and has also been on Standup Nashville live from Zanies on the Circle Network. Wellington was a Performer in the 2019 & 2022 Laughing Skull Comedy festival, Big Pine Comedy Festival 2021, and St. Louis Mo 2019 Fly Over Comedy Festival.

Sahana Srinivasan

Sahana is an actress, comedian, and filmmaker from Texas. Sahana hosted the Netflix original science show Brainchild, for which she was featured in Forbes, NowThis, Variety, NPR, Teen Vogue, The Rachael Ray show, and more. She has also hosted for comedians Emo Phillips and Ego Nwodim, and she was a finalist in the Funniest Person in Austin Contest. Sahana is known for her absurd characters and silly one liners about her cultural identity and life experience.

Meet the Comedy Prize Judges

J.P. Buck

J.P. is an Emmy-nominated producer who has spent the past 15 years working for Conan O’Brien, both as a Supervising Producer on his late night show, and developing content which turned Team Coco into a multi-platform media company. His other producing credits include specials for Chris Redd, Moses Storm, Beth Stelling, Daniel Sloss, and Ellen DeGeneres, and series like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

Allison Cohn

Allison is an independent Casting Director for TV and film projects. She is currently casting a new adult animated comedy series for FOX to premiere in 2024 and has worked in casting at Comedy Central, MTV, and ABC Primetime. Allison also works with the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival as the Executive Talent Consultant for the New Faces of Comedy program to find the next generation of comedians

Michael Cox

Michael books and produces the stand-up comedians for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Prior to “Tonight”, he booked and produced the panel for “Chelsea Lately” on E! hosted by Chelsea Handler. Michael has booked shows for David Spade, Whitney Cummings, Ron Funches, Josh Wolf, Nikki Glaser, and Terry Crews and has been a guest judge for NBC’s “Stand-Up NBC” and consulted on NBC’s “Bring The Funny.”

Charlie Sotelo

Charlie created and produces the SXSW Comedy Festival.

Proudly supporting the Prize Foundation’s mission of creative and entrepreneurial excellence.

PRESENTING SPONSORS

HEIDI & GREGORY KALLENBERG

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

SANDI & JEFFREY KALLENBERG

PHILLIPS & KALLENBERG FAMILY INVESTMENTS

POWERS FOUNDATION

DR. PAM MCPHERSON & DR. SCOTT CASSINGHAM

PRODUCERS

PATTI & MIKE BRANNAN

JOHNSON & JOANN RAMSEY

LINDA GOLDSBERRY

KIMBERLY & BRAD SCHLOSSER

RO & STEVEN WHITE

JULIE & KURT LYLES

CARIN & CASSIDY PHILLIPS

JANE & BOBBY JELKS

LOVERS OF THE PRIZE

ATKINS FOUNDATION CROWELL FAMILY FUND

ALLEN & SERENITY EVANS

ALEX & ELIZABETH KENNEDY CLIFF LEBLANC

WILLIAM & JORIE O’BRIEN

FRIENDS OF THE PRIZE

JB

media shreveport bossier

The most amazing creative competition on planet Earth.

What is the Prize?

Prize is a state of mind, a spirit, and a light... but it is also so much more. Prize Foundation is a year-round program which activates creative talent, elevates their work through exhibition and mentorship, and transforms their careers, our community, and the world.

We live by a mantra, so say it loud and proud with us:

I am the Prize!

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You are the Prize! We are the Prize!

VIVA LA PRIZE FEST!

OCTOBER 13-21

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