Louisiana continues to invest in its local film community
with funding and resources to support not only projects filmed in the state,
but those created by indigenous talent. 

Announced last week at a Made in Louisiana event in Baton
Rouge, the newly formed Create Louisiana is "an ongoing effort to support
and develop the creative industries of Louisiana and showcase their cultural,
economic and social contributions to the state."

The campaign’s first project is the 2016 Create Louisiana Filmmakers
Grant, in partnership with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) and
the New Orleans Film Society. The initiative includes a $50,000 grant for a
local filmmaking team and provides a unique opportunity to develop their
careers through the funding of a short film, which will screen at the 2016 New
Orleans Film Festival.

The 2016 Create Louisiana Filmmakers Grant is an
industry-building program designed to recognize and celebrate the creative
industries in Louisiana, including all the burgeoning, indigenous filmmakers
that contribute to Louisiana’s vibrant creative economy.

The grant recipient team will receive a $50,000 grant for a
short film project. The film is to be completed within 12 months of receiving
the award, with the finished project set to screen at the 2016 New Orleans Film
Festival. The first year of the program is sponsored by Deep South Studios.

Applications will open in August 2015 and can be found at
www.createlouisiana.com.