Louisiana Film Festival results are in ...

... and non-Shreveporters cleaned house. The awards are listed below.

Though organizers hope to see more representation from north Louisiana next year, the widening participation is a healthy sign.

Pulling entries from out-of-state translates into more street cred, plain and simple. Bigger pool, more prestige.

It shines a brighter light on the festivals' supporters -- including the Robinson Film Center and Centenary College.

Lastly, the more non-local filmmakers show us what they can do, the more local filmmakers learn what they must do.

The following list and synopses were provided by festival co-organizer and RFC staffer Chris Jay. The synopses sum up what the judges had to say.

2007 LOUISIANA FILM FESTIVAL: STUDENT DIVISION AWARDS

The Jefferson Hendricks Achievement in Film Award ($500, top prize)
“The Starmaker” by Holden Brown
New Orleans, La.
“The Starmaker” is a combination of live action and animation that was unanimously selected by all five judges to receive the top prize. This is the first time in the festival’s history that a unanimous vote has ever occurred for the top prize. In the film, a young girl follows a falling star into the woods, where she becomes trapped by a frightening witch.

The Charitable Film Network Special Jury Prize ($150)
“A Game of Pool” by Ryan LeBoeuf
New Orleans, La.
LeBoeuf used experimental cinematography techniques to make it appear as though a man is competing against himself in a game of pool. This award is typically awarded for creativity and originality. LeBoeuf’s use of unusual camera techniques and creative editing made this selection stand out.

Best in Narrative ($100)
“Teenage Blues” by Samantha Smith
Picayune, Miss.
“Teenage Blues” is a silent film set to George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which follows a student as he faces a school bully and strives to impress Bambi, the head cheerleader, while keeping his grades up. The film was also accepted to Mississippi’s Crossroads Film Festival.

Best in Documentary ($100)
“Schools of Change” by Caitlin Sullivan
New Orleans, La.
“Schools of Change” shows how several New Orleans-area schools have gone through major shifts in demographic make-up since Hurricane Katrina struck. It focuses specifically on Lusher Alternative Elementary School, a K-8 public school in the Orleans Parish School District.

Best in Animation ($100)
“High Speed Deception”
Bellaire, Texas
“High Speed Deception” is a very impressive combination of live action and animation, which centers around a car race between two rival racers. The animation techniques used were highly advanced for a student work.