Bossier City Welcomes Exciting Film Festival Experience
In a delightful turn of events, the vibrant city of Bossier City has become the center of creative energy as Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) teams up with the renowned Prize Fest for the highly anticipated 2024 Film Prize. This notable collaboration marks BPCC as the official screening site for this year’s Film Prize competition, which promises to bring a whirlwind of excitement to the local community.
Understanding Prize Fest 2024
Mark your calendars! Prize Fest 2024 will take place from October 16-19 in the Shreveport-Bossier area, and it’s a splendid celebration of food, comedy, film, and music. The Film Prize segment of the festival showcases 20 short films, all crafted in Louisiana, competing for an impressive cash prize of $50,000. This prize is noted as the largest cash reward globally for a short film, meaning it’s an event that any film enthusiast won’t want to miss!
Engaging Students and the Community
One of the festival’s champions, Jennifer Robison, an assistant professor of photography at BPCC, shares how vital this partnership is to engage students and involve them in the community. “The Prize Fest team knows how to get a crowd motivated, so it makes that energy infectious,” she enthusiastically notes. This kind of atmosphere not only energizes the audience but also stirs excitement among students who get to participate and learn.
Hosted at the Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre, located in BPCC’s Building C at 6220 E. Texas St., festival-goers have the unique opportunity to watch the Top 20 films and cast their votes, contributing to the decision of which film will take home the coveted prize. As Robison emphasizes, “We need community involvement so our students know what it takes to have a career in the arts.” That real-world engagement is crucial for students aspiring to thrive in creative careers.
A Personal Connection with Experience
Robison’s deep-rooted connection with the Prize Fest doesn’t just stop at being an educator; before her tenure at BPCC, she worked as a contract photographer for the festival. This experience, coupled with her collaboration with Gregory Kallenberg, the executive director of the Prize Foundation, has allowed her to facilitate invaluable opportunities for students to experience hands-on work during various Prize Fest events.
Photographers Unite for Golden Lens Competition
As part of this exciting partnership, BPCC introduced the Golden Lens Photography Competition, now in its third year. This contest invites photographers of all skill levels to capture the essence of Shreveport-Bossier. With up to 30 photographs selected for an exhibition, one talented photographer will be awarded the 2024 Golden Lens First Place Award along with a $1,000 prize. Robison expresses her gratitude for the support from the BPCC Foundation, which has been instrumental in making this competition successful.
Bridging the Gap between Classroom and Community
Robison passionately explains how crucial it is for students to engage with traditional media and community projects. “The more people we can connect our students to for real-world projects, the more success they will have when they leave our program,” she states, emphasizing the importance of practical experience.
Impacts Beyond the Classroom
Examples of BPCC students’ creative contributions can be seen throughout the city, such as a prominent billboard advertisement on Interstate-49. “The Willis-Knighton Eye Institute billboard ad was done by one of our students,” Robison proudly shares. This level of community involvement demonstrates how students can showcase their skills in a real-world context.
A Bright Future for Arts in the Community
As the partnership with the Prize Foundation continues to flourish, BPCC looks forward to creating even more opportunities for its students. Robison’s commitment to enabling students to understand the level of dedication needed for a career in the arts is clear. With supportive community partners, the bridge to success for these aspiring creatives is growing stronger.
In sum, Bossier City is buzzing with excitement as the 2024 Film Prize enriches the local arts scene and provides students with invaluable, hands-on experiences that can positively shape their futures. So, mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate a fantastic festival!
