{"id":2090682,"date":"2025-10-14T16:29:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T16:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2090682"},"modified":"2025-10-14T16:29:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T16:29:13","slug":"film-prize-2025-is-almost-here-meet-a-shreveport-family-with-two-competing-films","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/film-prize-2025-is-almost-here-meet-a-shreveport-family-with-two-competing-films\/","title":{"rendered":"Film Prize 2025 is almost here. Meet a Shreveport family with two competing films"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">An ancestral love for <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/check-top-20-films-filmmakers-030043310.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:filmmaking;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">filmmaking<\/a> has carried a Shreveport family through the i<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/strand-hosts-shreveport-premiere-local-142340831.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:ndie film scene in northwest Louisiana;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">ndie film scene in northwest Louisiana<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Meet the Kirtons<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Patrick and Susan Kirton always inspired their children to embrace the arts, even if that meant a little sibling competition. The Kirtons&#8217; children, Haley and Eric, will be competing against each other in <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/music\/articles\/music-prize-2025-almost-check-090148118.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Film Prize 2025;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Film Prize 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The Kirton Family following the announcement of the Louisiana Film Prize Top 20 films announcement.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We are astonished that both got accepted and are very proud,&#8221; Susan said. &#8220;We are just so happy to be able to do this as a family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This is not the first time the Kirton family has been featured in Film Prize. In 2022, the family worked as a team to create &#8220;Credit,&#8221; which was selected as one of the top 5 films of that year&#8217;s festival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;You know, we never thought we could make a film,&#8221; Susan said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But with the help of the film community in Shreveport, the Kirtons were able to tell their story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We all wore different hats,&#8221; Susan said. &#8220;The experience of making the film was so joyous as a family, having older kids who could be a part of it in a really meaningful way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong>More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/music\/articles\/music-prize-2025-almost-check-090148118.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Music Prize 2025 is almost here. Check out Big Wy's Brass Band, one of the bands competing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Music Prize 2025 is almost here. Check out Big Wy&#8217;s Brass Band, one of the bands competing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Susan wrote the film and co-directed alongside Patrick. Haley had a role and Eric starred in it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We made it a family project,&#8221; Susan said, &#8220;We would all sit in front of the fireplace and just flesh out ideas.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Eric came into it with a background in acting,&#8221; Patrick said. &#8220;He had acted in quite a few films. Haley came to it as a writer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Haley co-wrote a film called &#8220;Ghosted&#8221; with Blaine Weaver in 2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"The Kirton family, following the announcement that their short films had made it into the Top 20 of Film Prize 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"645\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/BY5cqLMnquIP5lA0JYUTjg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/shreveport-times-the-times\/0650571acb2dde0dc14b883492b696f6\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The Kirton family, following the announcement that their short films had made it into the Top 20 of Film Prize 2025.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This year, Haley and Eric decided to embark on their own journeys to create a short film.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Susie and I helped produce and get some of the details together,&#8221; Patrick said. &#8220;But, you know, they just came together and did this on their own with the help of a great film community. They are both going into this with great attitudes. They are just so happy to be in Film Prize.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It&#8217;s really exciting,&#8221; Haley said. &#8220;This is my first time getting into Film Prize with my first film as a director and a writer. It&#8217;s really rewarding that I get to show it off like this, and then I get to compete with my brother.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Eric said: &#8220;I love her (Haley) to death, and I&#8217;m so happy and proud of her for getting in. Her film&#8217;s really good, and I can&#8217;t wait for people to see it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Haley wrote and directed &#8220;Ram\u00f3n Makes a Movie,&#8221; a short film about a neurotic director who becomes obsessed with creating the perfect autobiographical masterpiece.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We both have very different films,&#8221; Haley said. &#8220;So, it doesn&#8217;t really feel like we are competing, more like we are supporting each other.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Eric Kirton at the Louisiana Film Prize 2025 Top 20 Announcement Party.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"717\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/GsbpjwCJK6Hb6m8810xtFA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/shreveport-times-the-times\/00a899d08e78867513cf54bb037778bd\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Eric Kirton at the Louisiana Film Prize 2025 Top 20 Announcement Party.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Eric wrote and directed &#8220;Disorder,&#8221; a pseudo-biographical story about a boy and his family trying to navigate getting accommodations for ADHD. Eric said that this short film was based on actual events he faced in middle school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Film Prize begins with online screenings at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. In-person screenings begin Friday, Oct. 17, in theaters. Festivalgoers can cast their votes for best film and best performance until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The grand prize winner will be selected through a unique combination of audience voting and evaluations from a panel of film industry veterans, tastemakers, and celebrities. The winner has a chance to win $25,000 or \u00a0$50,000 if shot in Caddo Parish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">To learn more about how to see this year&#8217;s films, visit <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prizefest.com\/film\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:www.prizefest.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">www.prizefest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong>More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/check-top-20-films-filmmakers-030043310.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Check out the Top 20 films and filmmakers for Louisiana Film Prize 2025;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Check out the Top 20 films and filmmakers for Louisiana Film Prize 2025<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shreveporttimes.com\/story\/entertainment\/arts\/2025\/10\/14\/film-prize-2025-features-shreveport-family-with-two-films-competing\/86680493007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Film Prize 2025 features Shreveport family with two films competing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Film Prize 2025 features Shreveport family with two films competing<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An ancestral love for filmmaking has carried a Shreveport family through the indie film scene in northwest Louisiana. Meet the Kirtons Patrick and Susan Kirton always inspired their children to embrace the arts, even if that meant a little sibling competition. The Kirtons&#8217; children, Haley and Eric, will be competing against each other in Film [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2090683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[394242],"class_list":["post-2090682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-susan-kirton"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Film-Prize-2025-is-almost-here-Meet-a-Shreveport-family.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2090682"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2090684,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090682\/revisions\/2090684"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2090683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2090682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2090682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2090682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}