NEW ORLEANS, La. – Meridian native and New Orleans producer Alicia Davis Johnson has teamed up with a group of South Louisiana filmmakers to vie for a coveted spot in the filmmaking competition Hometown Heroes Rally.

The national competition is presented by Mark and Jay Duplass through the crowd funding platform seedandspark.com. According to a release, the competition champions the next generation of filmmakers making movies with their local community and resources.

“Lost Bayou” is the production Johnson has teamed up to produce with Breaux Bridge’s Brian Richard, Broussard’s Hunter Burke and Lafayette’s Nick Lavin. Richard will direct the production and Burke and Lavin penned the script.

Set in the Atchafalaya Basin of Louisiana, “Lost Bayou” boasts a team that is not only from Louisiana, but also many of whom grew up on the bayou themselves. Arnaudville’s Teri Wyble will star, and New Iberia’s Natalie Kingston will shoot.

“Lost Bayou” is a story that is inspired by the people and folklore of Acadiana. It is a tale of faith, hope, and healing.

“We’re so excited to share a piece of our Cajun culture with the world,” Kingston said. “It’s a side that maybe the world hasn’t seen before.”

The Top 10 projects that reach the green light and have the most followers on seedandspark.com by Oct. 13, 2017, will qualify for the finals and get to pitch The Duplass Brothers their project.  

Of those 10 finalists, up to five will win the Grand Prize: a matching grant, and Mark and Jay Duplass boarding the project as executive producers. Both offers are incredible opportunities for Indie filmmakers and have the community buzzing with excitement.

Since Hometown Heroes launched on Sept. 13, “Lost Bayou” has maintained its position in the Top 10. With almost three weeks left and more than 70 projects competing, there’s a lot of competition left for Lost Bayou.

“This is a story that needs and deserves to be told,” Richard said. “This film can cement another chapter in preserving our Cajun heritage through cinema.”

Burke added, “South Louisiana is an area that we are passionate about telling stories from. We need your help and support to bring this Louisiana folktale to life.”

According to Johnson, the crew will shoot and use South Louisiana resources for the production.

“So any money we raise will essentially be pumped right back into the community,” the Meridian native said.

To follow and/or pledge a contribution to “Lost Bayou’s” Seed & Spark campaign, go to www.seedandspark.com/fund/lost-bayou