DigiFest South has a very full agenda this year including a Digital Media Interactive Expo and Digital Art Exhibit; DigiMusic, an electronic dance music concert; DigiPitch, a live version of the reality show “Shark Tank;” DigiJam, a video game design competition; DigiTalks, a dynamic lecture series; and DigiWorkshops, digital media presentations and training sessions.

The third annual DigiFest will be held Sept. 12-14 at Cohab, Sept. 16 at Paradise Theater and Sept. 17-18 in the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City.

“This is an event designed to celebrate the creative mind, and how innovative individuals have created and utilized new technologies to move our society forward,” Clint McCommon, board president of the Bossier Arts Council and DigiFest planning chair, said.

McCommon laid out three primary goals for the event.

“First is to demonstrate to students from seventh grade through college all of the opportunities in the digital media industry where they can be creative and have a fulfilling career, even start their own business in the creative industry,” McCommon said. “We are busing in about 1,200 students from schools in Caddo, Bossier and Webster Parish. It will be seventh-, 11th-, and 12th-graders, primarily from talented arts programs. There will also be about 200 college kids participating.”

“Also, we want to show civic, community and business leaders the enormous economic impact the digital media industry has on our economy,” McCommon said. “Professionals and leaders in the area and beyond – we want them to attend the panel events, plus the kickoff luncheon.”

“Finally, we want to educate everyone involved about the increasing value of [science, technology, engineering, arts and math] education as a model for our students. Exposing our youth to a scientific and creative education model is the key to building a strong creative workforce and will cultivate our leaders and innovators of tomorrow.”

McCommon is excited to have Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne on hand to launch this year’s DigiFest. “Having Lt. Gov. Dardenne speak at our kickoff luncheon is a big deal because it is important for politicians to understand the impact of the arts, especially the digital arts, for the huge return on investment it brings from tax incentives and investments,” McCommon said.

Many local businesses and organizations will participate in this year’s DigiFest. Groups like The Robinson Film Center and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center will have interactive booths on the exhibit floor during school tours. Sci-Port is also leading the STEAM discussion panel. Shreveport Regional Arts Council is running the digital art exhibit part of DigiFest; they and the Downtown Development Authority are sponsoring the DigiMusic concert and laser show under the Texas Street Bridge, featuring Ken Jordan of The Crystal Method. Moonbot Studios will have all of their short films playing during the floor show and will lead a portfolio review workshop for digital media artists.

“Bossier Parish Community College has been a strong supporter of DigiFest South,” McCommon said. “They are a media partner, plus we have a college committee composed of the majority of colleges in the area that help plan DigiFest. They will all have interactive exhibits and promote their digital media and art programs.”

DigiFest South will also host the second annual DigiPitch, a business venture competition that gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their idea or product before a panel of investors from across the region.

“This year we’re taking DigiPitch up a notch. We wanted to create a shark tank live event in true Louisiana fashion,” said Rob Gaudet, coordinator of DigiPitch, and founder of Gaudet New Media Group. For the first time, competitors will have training time with reputable mentors to help refine their pitch. Cash prizes and other incentives will be available for the best pitches.

DigiFest South has been so successful in previous years that a change in venue became necessary, McCommon said.

“We moved DigiFest South this year into the CenturyLink Center,” McCommon said. “We didn’t expect to move there in only our third year, but the need to have everything for the main event under one roof made it necessary. The CenturyLink staff is amazing and the facility has everything we need for the upcoming years as the event continues to grow.”

McCommon said he hopes to see the community participate in the event.

“We do have a general target of kids of all ages,” McCommon said. “They can come see the floor show, attend panels, the luncheon and the concert. The point of DigiFest South is that it touches everyone in different ways. Just look at the smartphone; think of all of the creativity and technological innovations that have lead up to the devices we have now.”

For more information, including a detailed schedule of events, go to www.digifestsouth.com.