PB Film

The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) is the largest statewide film competition and award show for Florida student filmmakers, graphic designers and digital media artists. Operating for nearly three decades the juried competition recognizes outstanding high school and college students by presenting more than $24,000 in scholarships and awards in the following categories: College & High School Feature/Shorts, Documentary, Music Video, Animation, Environmental PSA, Commercial PSA, Screenwriting, Poster Design and new this year Palm Beach County Tourism PSA and Teacher Appreciation. Honoring the late acting and directing legend, Burt Reynolds, the SSOF will continue to endow a scholarship bearing his name, memorializing his legacy as a staunch advocate for education. Runners up in this category will be considered for the Sara Fuller, Mel Maron or Gray Family Scholarship Award.

Winners from the 28th annual competition were revealed during the red-carpet, ‘90s themed award show on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. The live show was hosted by Frank Licari, a stage and screen actor, musician, entertainer, and host of the South Florida PBS series On the Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari.

The competition received a record-breaking 528 eligible submissions from 75 schools across Florida. Our 2023 judging panel of entertainment industry experts had a tough assignment choosing this year's finalists, and at our live show, the audience experienced, firsthand, the outstanding level of talent found in Florida schools. 

The event was attended by over 650 people and has previously attracted a standing-room-only audience of students, celebrity presenters, industry professionals, government dignitaries, media and more. Previous presenters include Vanilla Ice, singer Howie D. (Backstreet Boys); TV host Montel Williams, Oscar nominated director Ted Melfi (Hidden Figures) former Palm Beach Post  pop-culture writer Leslie Gray Streeter, actors Cheri Oteri (SNL), Linda Blair (The Exorcist), Bruce Campbell (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Clint Howard (The Waterboy), Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Ice-T (Law & Order: SVU), Martin Kove (The Karate Kid), Billy West (Futurama), Hector David Jr. (Power Rangers), Conrad Ricamora (How To Get Away With Murder) and Zack Gottsagen (The Peanut Butter Falcon) and of course, the legendary Burt Reynolds.

The SSOF is the cornerstone of the education outreach initiative of The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission and engages faculty and school administrators in guiding student participation. The project is funded by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Housing & Economic Development, Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The School District of Palm Beach County, and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. Award sponsors for the 2023 competition include Suzanne Niedland (Suzanne Niedland Documentary Scholarship), Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), friends and family of Mel Maron (Mel Maron Scholarship) and Michael Chasin (Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award).

Facebook: facebook.com/StudentShowcaseofFilms
Twitter: twitter.com/StudentFilmsFL
Instagram: instagram.com/studentfilmsfl
You Tube: Student Showcase of Films

Celebrating Florida's Future Filmmakers Since 1995

This Festival is FREE to ENTER!