Filmmakers across the Borderland have a chance to see their work on the big screen \u2014 and compete for cash prizes \u2014 as the El Paso Community Foundation\u2019s Plaza Classic Film Festival opens submissions for its ninth annual Local Flavor showcase and award.<\/p>\n
More than $3,500 in cash prizes will be awarded through the program, which is sponsored by the El Paso Film and Creative Industries Commission and the Texas Film Commission. <\/p>\n
Local Flavor is accepting both short and feature-length films, but works-in-progress will not be accepted.<\/p>\n
To qualify, projects must have been completed on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and must be made locally, set locally, or have a connection to the El Paso-Ju\u00e1rez-Las Cruces area. That local connection should be noted in the entry form\u2019s synopsis window.<\/p>\n
A panel of judges will select submissions for the Local Flavor showcase and awards at the Plaza Theatre on Sunday, July 26, the last day of the film festival. <\/p>\n
Awards will be announced at the end of the program.<\/p>\n
Prizes include a $1,500 first prize, a $1,000 second prize, a $750 third prize, a $250 audience favorite award, and a $100 student award for a college or high school student entry.<\/p>\n
There is no cost to submit a film. The entry deadline is Monday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m.<\/p>\n
For the third year, Local Flavor will be curated by Emmy Award-winning producer Javier Gonzalez of El Paso. He is joined by Jaime Mendez, Ed.D., the UTEP assistant dean for student support and a longtime Plaza Classic Film Festival program advisory committee member, and Sophia Santos, a 2024 UCLA film school graduate from El Paso.<\/p>\n
Submissions can be made here<\/a>. <\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso Downtown Arts District ranks No. 4 in USA Today 10Best readers’ awards<\/a><\/p>\n