Official Rules 2025

Read below to understand the full rules and regulations for Film Prize 2025. It includes details that may answer some of your burning questions about what’s required to compete and what Prize Foundation commits to on our end.

If you have questions, contact Chris Lyon: chris@prize.foundation.

Film Prize 2025 Official Rules and Regulations

Quick Menu

Overview: Get Started with Film Prize 2025

The first thing to know is that Film Prize is a competition. That competition awards the largest cash prize for a short film in the world – $50,000. Adherence to all of the rules is key to the competition and they are enforced to ensure a fair field for all competitors. Read on to learn how Film Prize works.

  1. Register your scripted, live action short film project and pay the entry fee. The entry fee is $50 per short film. The registration form will collect information about the film, including title, genre, director, and contact information, among other things. You may register at any time during the shooting window (July 10, 2024 – July 8, 2025). Once you have registered a film and opened your Filmmaker Portal, you may register additional projects for an additional $25 registration fee. All films must be scripted, live action projects. Documentary and animation are ineligible for competition.
  2. Hire your cast and crew, secure your locations and equipment. Though you are not required to hire local cast or crew, there are many resources available at your disposal in Louisiana as a filmmaker through the Film Prize. The Film Prize staff is here to help! Call the office (318.213.6437, Mon-Fri, 10a-5p) or email Chris at chris@prize.foundation. Check out the Prize Artist Directory where actors, cast, and crew have listed their talents and contact information.
  3. Document your shoot. Your responsibility as a contestant in Film Prize 2025 is to PROVE beyond a shadow of a doubt that your production took place when and where you say it does by providing what we call “Qualifying Evidence” with your submission. More information on what counts as Qualifying Evidence can be found in the Complete Rules section below.
  4. Dive into post-production. You may conduct post-production anywhere in the world. We invite you to consider Louisiana-based post-production workers — from editors to colorists and sound mixers in the Prize Artist Directory. It’s not required, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage it! Remember, your film must be longer than 5 minutes and may be no longer than 15 minutes, 0 seconds, and 0 frames to be eligible for Film Prize.
  5. Complete the Filmmaker Portal. You must submit more than your finished film to compete in Film Prize. You must also complete the online Filmmaker Portal (accessible with the email and password you submit on your registration form). The Filmmaker Portal is a place to upload other required assets to complete your Film Prize 2025 submission. A list of required items can be found in the Complete Rules section below.
  6. Turn in your submission by Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m Central Time. You must have your film turned in to the Film Prize office (by mail or hand delivery) on a USB Thumb Drive or DVD disc and must have COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED Filmmaker Portal along with all of the required assets by Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to qualify for consideration for the Film Prize 2025. Do not mail your drive on the deadline date. It must be delivered and in our hands by the end of the deadline day. There is NO DIGITAL DELIVERY option available for Film Prize 2025. Our offices will be open until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the evening of the deadline. Absolutely no late entries will be accepted.
  7. You Must Premiere Your Film at Film Prize Festival! If you are selected as a Top 20 Finalist, you and your film must PREMIERE EXCLUSIVELY at Louisiana Film Prize during Prize Fest on October 15-19, 2025. You may not screen anywhere for any reason prior to or at the same time as Film Prize. If you are not selected as a finalist in August 2025, you are no longer bound by this requirement.
  8. Read the complete rules below. Your film must adhere to all rules below for both the submission of the short film AND the Filmmaker Portal to be eligible for Film Prize 2025.

Complete Rules Part I: Your Short Film

Short Film Production Eligibility

  • Format. Films must be scripted, live action projects. Documentary and animation are ineligible for Louisiana Film Prize.
  • Runtime. Films must have a runtime of no less than 5 minutes, no more than 15 minutes, 0 seconds, and 0 frames including all titles and credits.
  • Credits Length. Your film’s credits may be up to but no longer than 30 seconds in total. Whether they appear at the beginning or end of your film or both, the total time allowed for any and all credits in the entire film is 30 seconds. The film title card does not count toward your credits runtime.
  • Principal Photography must be done in the eligible Filming Zone between the dates of July 10, 2024 and July 8, 2025. In order to be considered for the Film Prize, you must be able to prove, through evidence you submit to us in the Filmmaker Portal, that your production conducted Principal Photography in the eligible Filming Zone during the competition time frame listed above. For more details on how to produce the required evidence, read “Documenting Your Short Film’s Eligibility” in the next section below. Attempts to falsify your evidence could result in a permanent ban from Louisiana Film Prize competitions in the future.
    • For a project to be eligible for the cash prize of $50,000, the production must be able to prove that Principal Photography took place in Caddo Parish and/or Bossier Parish, Louisiana and meet all other requirements. Here’s a map of Caddo Parish. Here is a map of Bossier Parish. There are no exceptions for locations *just outside* Caddo or Bossier. It must be within the legal boundaries to count.
    • Projects that conduct Principal Photography elsewhere in Louisiana and which meet all other requirements are eligible for a cash prize of $25,000. Locations must be inside the legal boundaries of the state.
    • “Principal Photography” is defined as 90% of the final runtime on-screen.
  • Establishing Shots and Pickups. A minimal number of non-Principal Photography production (e.g. pickups or establishing shots) can be shot outside of the eligible Filming Zone as necessitated by story. For example, say your film is set in New York and you need an establishing shot of the Lower East Side. You may shoot or purchase b-roll to establish that location. If you need a quick insert shot for your scene and want to shoot at home, that’s fine too. However, these shots MUST be listed in the appropriate part of your Filmmaker Portal.
  • Post-Production may be executed anywhere in the world.
  • Note About Louisiana Content. Film Prize films are NOT required to be set in or feature Louisiana or Caddo Parish or Bossier in any way. What matters is that Principal Photography takes place here and that you tell the best story you know how.
  • Regarding the Use of “Artificial Intelligence” (AI). Film Prize enforces strict guidelines regarding the use of “artificial intelligence” other machine learning/generation technologies in submissions. The prohibition vs limited use cases falls, generally, into two categories: Generative and Assistive. Failure to meet the letter or the spirit of these rules will be met with disqualification. Attempts to hide the use of generative content could result in a permanent ban from Louisiana Film Prize competitions in the future.
    • Complete Prohibition of Generative AI – Film Prize competitors are prohibited from using generative models of any kind to create a screenplay or parts of a screenplay. The use of generative models of any kind in film production or post-production, including but not limited to directing, cinematography, lighting, acting, hair, makeup, costuming, sets, mattes, props, or other generative content creation, is also strictly prohibited. All creative elements must be ideated, guided, and executed by human filmmakers, artists, and performers.
    • Limited Use of Assistive AI – Productions may use non-generative AI in pre-production, production, and post-production in augmentative capacities including but not limited to:
      • Script analysis and review, but not content generation.
      • Assistive scheduling and documentation
      • Production document creation (call sheets, sides, etc)
      • Production communications
      • Data logging, organizing, sorting, etc.
      • Visual effects tools such as image enhancement, tracking, compositing, or stabilization.
      • Sound enhancement, manipulation, leveling.
      • Subtitle generation and translation.

Documenting Your Short Film’s Eligibility

  • You must provide Qualifying Evidence that Principal Photography took place in the eligible Filming Zone (in Caddo Parish and/or Bossier Parish for $50,000 prize eligibility -OR- elsewhere in Louisiana for $25,000 prize eligibility) during the production window for this year’s competition (productions which conduct Principal Photography between July 10, 2024 and July 8, 2025).
  • What counts as Qualifying Evidence? The following guidelines should be considered when choosing which pieces of Qualifying Evidence to submit.
    • The evidence must demonstrate WHERE you filmed geographically.
    • The evidence must show WHEN you filmed your production.
    • Is INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIABLE by a third party.
  • Examples of qualifying evidence includes, but is not limited to:
    • Photo and videos on set during filming with geolocation information (most smartphones do this automatically – example).
    • Production-related receipts with date and location included such as meal catering, lodging receipts, etc.
    • Location agreements with date and location included (usually the location address).
    • Rental agreements with date and location included (usually the business address).
    • If you have a question about something that might be eligible as Qualifying Evidence, just ask before you commit to it.

 

Technical Submission Requirements and Delivery Address

  • Submission Delivery Method There is NO virtual upload or digital submission for Film Prize 2025. The following submission methods are permitted:
    • USB Thumb Drive with a tag (like this or this). Preferred drive formats: ExFAT or APFS
    • DVD disc, in a sleeve or case.
    • The submission should be labeled on the exterior with:
      • Title of Film
      • Director(s) Name(s)
      • Runtime
  • Submission File Naming. When submitting your film, your file name should be as follows: “FILM TITLE – DIRECTOR NAME.mp4.”
  • Submission File Format. Submission files must be encoded in H264/MPEG-4 and with a resolution no larger than 1920x1080p. If you are selected as a finalist, you will have the opportunity to submit higher resolution and higher quality files.
  • Work in Progress Card. You MUST include a 10-second card at the beginning of your film summarizing what, if anything is incomplete (i.e., “Unfinished sound design” or “Unfinished visual effects”). If your film is completely finished, this card must indicate that no changes are intended. This card is NOT counted against your runtime restriction of 15 minutes, 0 seconds, and 0 frames.
  • Missing Shot/VFX Descriptor Cards. Films may include on-screen overlays during the film describing missing shots or visual effects to indicate to the viewer what is missing. These should be as unobtrusive as possible while delivering the required information.
  • Watermarks. Film submissions should be free of watermarks or other overlays that obscure the image aside from the aforementioned missing shot or VFX descriptor cards.
  • Submission Deadline. The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. No late submissions will be accepted under any circumstances.
  • Submission Address. Films should be mailed or delivered in-person to the following address:
    • Film Prize Submissions
      401 Market Street, Suite 860
      Shreveport, LA 71101
 

Submission Rules Part II: Filmmaker Portal

To qualify to be a finalist for the Film Prize 2025, each production must COMPLETE AND SUBMIT all of the required sections of the Filmmaker Portal. The Portal is designed so that you can log in at any time to work on or submit your digital assets such as logline, crew, and evidence. The portal must be COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED by Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

The Filmmaker Portal requires you to submit the following materials:

Filmmaker Information

  • Short director’s bio. Length: 100 words or 600 characters (Free word counter).
  • Director’s headshot (JPEG, 5×7 portrait, 1500×2100 pixels).
  • Social media handles (optional, but recommended).
  • W-9 Tax Form (Download from irs.gov).

Production Information

  • Film Logline, 50 words or less (Don’t know how to write a logline? Learn how here).
  • Production Team Members Information (directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, composers, and main cast).
  • Movie poster. 27 inches wide by 40 inches tall with 1/4-inch bleed at 300 dpi. PDF format. No QR codes or website may be included.
  • Film Logo or Text Treatment (example).
  • Five (5) still frames from the film (JPEG or TIFF format. No watermarks, full resolution).

Qualifying Evidence

  • A list of all filming locations and dates for your production.
  • A list of any pickup or establishing shots not performed in the Filming Zone. If you have a question, contact us before you shoot.
  • Five to seven (5-7) pieces of qualifying evidence to prove WHEN and WHERE you filmed. Receipts, location agreements, verifiable photos, etc.
  • Five (5) behind the scenes stills images of the cast and crew on set.

Failure to COMPLETE and SUBMIT the Filmmaker Portal will disqualify a production from being a finalist.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Final Film Submission Deadline: September 12, 2025

If you are selected as a finalist, your final film and festival assets will be due Friday, September 12, 2025.

Filmmaker Responsibilities and Communication

It is the filmmaker’s responsibility to assign a point of contact (POC) for the production to participate in communications with the Film Prize staff – to ask questions on behalf of your project and to field inquiries from us. All decisions, questions, or concerns will be communicated to this POC only. From there, the POC may disseminate any pertinent information to the production. This is to avoid confusion and prevent multiple calls about the same issue in or out of the office. If the POC is anyone other than the director who submits the registration form, that information must accompany the registration form in the field “Primary Contact” which will ask for name, email, and phone number for the POC.

While in production, contact with the filmmakers and the production may be made at any time by Film Prize representatives. We reserve the right to visit the set of any production.

It is the filmmaker’s responsibility to obtain release forms, liability or other insurance, and other customary permits, permissions and protections as required by any individual, company, or municipality in which your film is in partnership. Teams are responsible for complying with all federal, state, and city regulations, including permitting.

The Film Prize does not require any production insurance or contracts ourselves (outside of the agreement to follow the rules of the places in which you film), but we do expect that you comply with local laws and the requests of property owners for the safety and security of you, your cast and crew, and the production itself. The Film Prize is not legally responsible for the production of your film and there is no insurance provided to you or your team by Prize Foundation.

Content Restrictions

Film Prize understands that many stories are not always about easy subjects and does not seek to restrict use of content that is in service of stories. However, pornography and similarly direct depictions of sexual activity are not eligible for competition. We recommend to filmmakers that their films be accessible to as wide of an audience as the story allows. If your film is selected and its content is difficult for viewers, it may be accompanied by a warning at the beginning of your screening.

Obtaining Third Party Rights and Licenses

You must have the rights to all materials appearing in your film, visual or auditory. The most common example is that you may not use music in your film unless you have obtained the rights to do so. A song that is in the public domain is not the same thing as a recording in the public domain. A song may have been written and the composition be public, but a recording constitutes a new copyright for that performance. Downloading a classical song off of iTunes does not mean it’s public domain. If you had to buy it, it’s likely under copyright. If you find a free and clear “royalty free” performance of that music, that’s a different story. We still encourage you to save the web page that releases a recording to the public to serve as your evidence of free and clear use of a track.

A screening process will be employed for all music and you must be able to provide proof of license when you turn in your film. If there is a question about rights to media seen in your film, you will be asked to present the license agreement or provide evidence of original composition. This extends to featured logos, music, and video elements like television content that might appear as a part of a scene in your film. Your deadline submission may use temp music, but beware – unlicensed music appearing in a final film will not be accepted.

Your License Agreement with Prize Foundation

License Agreement

This AGREEMENT is entered into this day between THE FILMMAKER whose electronic signature to this AGREEMENT is on the Registration Form (at https://prizefest.com/film/#register) and FILM PRIZE FOUNDATION, INC herein the “Film Prize”, signed below.

AGREEMENT OVERVIEW

  1. The Filmmaker owns the copyright in and to the short film registered on prizefest.com (hereinafter “Film”).
  2. Film Prize desires to obtain the rights to incorporate all or portions of the Film into “Works” including performance, mechanical reproduction, and synchronization (see below for details). Now, therefore, inconsideration of the promises, conditions, covenants, and warranties herein contained, the parties agree as follows.

1. Rights Granted

The Filmmaker hereby grants to the Film Prize, its successors and assigns, a non-exclusive right, license, and privilege worldwide (the “Territory”) to:

  1. Performance (or “Exhibition”) of the Film in its entirety through means of Mechanical Reproduction (creating discs or drives from which the Film is to be performed or played) during the Film Prize, partner film festivals, promotions, and tour dates including allowing others to utilize the Film in accordance with this agreement.
  2. Mechanical Reproduction: The ability to create digital or physical media reproductions of the Film in its entirety with the intended goal of sale of the Works of which the Film may be a part. (Including streaming, DVD or Blu-ray).
  3. First Sale: The ability to sell created digital or physical media reproductions made pursuant to 1b. above.d. Synchronization: Use of the Film in video or audio commercials, promotional clips, advertisements, and printed materials to promote the Film Prize, partner film festivals, sale of mechanical reproductions, and tours.

2. Filmmaker’s Rights and Obligations

  1. Filmmaker warrants and represents that it owns all rights, titles, and interests in and to the Film and can produce evidence of such on reasonable request from the Film Prize.
  2. Filmmaker reserves unto itself all rights of every kind and nature except those specifically granted to Film Prize in this document.
  3. Prior to the first public screening of the Film by Film Prize, Filmmaker will disclose any licenses the Filmmaker has entered into with third parties concerning content of the Film, and/or allocating any rights to the Film, including rights of a similar nature as those defined in any of 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, or 1.d . Should existing third party licenses or agreements change and/or any new licenses or agreements be entered into after this date, the Filmmaker must notify the Film Prize and disclose such licenses thereto within thirty (30) days.

3. Film Prize’s Rights and Obligations

  1. Film Prize will be solely responsible for providing all funding and technical expertise for the development and marketing of the Film pursuant to exercising of the rights granted in 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, and 1.d.
  2. Film Prize will be the sole owner of the derivative Works it creates (commercials, promos, etc.) and all proprietary rights in and to the Works; except, that ownership will not include the ownership of the copyright in and to the Film or any other rights to the Film not specifically granted in this Agreement.

4. Payments

  1. For the rights granted by the Filmmaker herein, Film Prize will pay to the Filmmaker royalty for the sale of any Mechanical Reproduction calculated as follows: 70% of net profit (after expenses and taxes) per unit on all sale of units of the Work sold by Film Prize which contains the Film licensed by the Filmmaker in this agreement divided equally by the number of other parities incorporated in the Work.i. Example Only: A DVD is made of twenty (20) films, each from a different filmmaker, and the DVD costs $2.50 to make, fulfill, and pay taxes on; and the DVD is sold for $20.00. The cost to make and fulfill would leave $17.50 remaining. From this example, the Film Prize will collect 30% equaling $5.75, leaving $11.75 to be split between the twenty (20) films, each receiving $0.59 per unit (rounded up from $0.5875). Actual costs of production, tax, and fulfillment may vary, as may the sale price. This is just an example.
  2. Film Prize will render payment to the Filmmaker every six months, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar half year during which the Work is sold, and a written statement of the royalties due to the Filmmaker with respect to the Work. Each statement will be accompanied by a remittance of payment for the amount shown to be due. The Filmmaker will have the right, upon reasonable request, to review those records necessary to verify the royalties paid. Any such audit will be conducted at the Filmmaker’s expense and at such times and in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the Film Prize’s normal operations. If a deficiency is shown by such an audit, the Film Prize will immediately pay the deficiency.
  3. Film Prize, at its sole discretion, may exercise the rights afforded in this agreement to the full extent or not at all. The Film Prize is under no obligation to market and/or sell any portion of the Filmmaker’s Film or any Work containing such Film, in whole or in part. If the Film Prize elects not sell any Mechanical Reproduction containing the Filmmaker’s Film, the Filmmaker will not receive any royalties.

5. Warranty and Indemnification

  1. The Filmmaker warrants and represents that it has the full right, power, and authority to enter this Agreement and to grant the rights granted herein; that any third parties which share license to the Film will be disclosed; and that the Film Prize’s inclusion and use of the Film will not violate anyone else’s rights. The Filmmaker will indemnify and hold harmless the Film Prize, it’s successors, assigns, and licensees, and the representative officers, directors, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), arising out of or in any way connected with any breach of representation or warranty made by the Filmmaker herein.
  2. The Film Prize will indemnify and hold harmless the Filmmaker, their successors, assigns, and licensees, and the representative officers, directors, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), arising out of or in any way connected with any claim that the Work infringes on any intellectual property rights or other rights of any third party, except to the extent such claims arises from a breach by the Licensee of section 5.a above.

6. Term and Termination

  1. The term of this Agreement for the purposes of Performance (or “Exhibition”) of the Film as defined in 1.a will be for a period of ten (10) years from the first public screening of the Film by Film Prize, unless terminated earlier pursuant to this section.
  2. The term of this Agreement for the purposes of Mechanical Reproduction of the Film as defined in 1.b will be for a period of five (5) years from the first public screening of the Film by Film Prize, years from the date of execution of this document, unless terminated earlier pursuant to this section.
  3. The term of this Agreement for the purposes of First Sale of the Film as defined in 1.c will be for a period of five (5) years for created digital reproductions and will be five (5) years for physical media reproductions from the first public screening of the Film by Film Prize.
  4. The term of this Agreement for the purposes of Synchronization of the Film as defined in 1.d will be in perpetuity.
  5. This agreement will be subject to termination at the discretion of the Filmmaker, by written notice to the Film Prize, where there has been a default in the due observance or performance of any material covenant, condition, or agreement herein by the Film Prize, and such a default has continued for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice specifying the default.
  6. This agreement will be subject to termination at the discretion of the Film Prize, by written notice to the Filmmaker, where there has been a default in the due observance or performance of any material, covenant, condition, or agreement herein by the Filmmaker and such default has continued for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice specifying the default.
  7. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Film Prize will cease reproducing and distributing the Works as soon as is commercially feasible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Film Prize has the right to fill existing orders and to sell off existing copies of the work then in stock, provided the sell-off period shall not exceed one (1) year from the date of termination. The Filmmaker will have the right to verify the existence and validity of the existing orders and existing copies of the Works then in stock upon reasonable notice to the Film Prize.
  8. Termination or expiration of this Agreement will not extinguish any of the Film Prize’s or the Filmmakers obligation under this agreement (including, but not limited to, the obligation to pay royalties), which by their terms continues after the date of termination or expiration.

7. General Provisions

  1. Successors/Assigns: This Agreement is binding upon and will insure to the benefit of the respective successors and/or assigns of the parties in this document.
  2. Integration: This Agreement represents the entirety of the agreement between the Filmmaker and Film Prize with respect to the subject matter of this document, and may not be modified or amended except by written agreement by both parties.
  3. Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, applicable to agreements made and to be wholly performed as stated.
  4. Notice: The address of each party in this document as listed in the Registration Form shall be the appropriate address for the mailing of notices, checks, and statements. All notices shall be sent certified or registered mail and shall not be deemed received or effective unless and until actually received. Either party may change their mailing address by written notice to the other.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties execute this License Agreement to be executed on the day and year set forth, and as electronically signed by the FILMMAKER on the Registration Form (at https://prizefest.com/film/#register) and by the FILM PRIZE below:

/FILM PRIZE FOUNDATION, INC/
401 Market Street, Ste 860
Shreveport, La 71101