PB Film

JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 29th ANNUAL PALM BEACHES STUDENT SHOWCASE OF FILMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

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Saluting Florida's Future Filmmakers

 

JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 29^th ANNUAL PALM BEACHES STUDENT SHOWCASE OF FILMS

Florida's Largest Student Film Competition and Award Show

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (February 20, 2024) – Let the judging begin! The 29th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) submission window is officially closed, and entries are now moving onto the judging portion of the competition. Today, the SSOF is thrilled to announce the list of accoladed industry professionals from all over the world who will be judging this year’s submissions.

To access full bios and headshots, and learn more about the entire international panel of new and returning judges– a staggering 44 in all, visit: pbfilm.com/SSOFjudges

New judges this year include Joanne Buter, a consulting producer specializing in fundraising and distribution; audio/visual producer Angela Carroll; award-winning writer, Jaimie Engle; acclaimed producer and visual effects expert, Chris “CB” Brown; strategic human resources director and strong supporter of the arts, Carla Bryant; independent film producer, writer and director, Dominic Giannetti; writer/director/producer of the Academy Award nominated film Hidden Figures, and producer of American Dreamer, coming out on March 8th in theaters, Theodore Melfi; and television news anchor and community mentor, Tania Rogers.

To showcase some of the esteemed members of our SSOF judging panel, we’re turning the spotlight onto the following judges below. 

Michael Chasin is an award-winning screenwriter and screenplay consultant based in South Florida. His passion for storytelling led him to teach screenwriting to students at CSB Media Arts Center in Connecticut, North Carolina, and Florida. In addition to being a film school graduate, Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in business administration, and a master’s degree in human resources management.

Mo Fitzgibbon, a successful writer/producer, launched Walker Fitzgibbon TV & Film, a diverse production company with projects ranging from broadcast television, commercials, animation, reality, documentaries, and music videos in both English and Spanish. She has post-production and special effects experience from her work with HBO and MTV, and recently established LAFLA FilmNation, offering workshops and career programs for young, local filmmakers.

Laurence Gartel, a leader in digital art, is recognized globally for his innovative and eye-catching works. His work has been exhibited worldwide, including at renowned institutions like The Museum of Modern Art, and he has produced commissioned pieces for notable figures and corporations such as Britney Spears, Coca-Cola, and Absolut Vodka. In 2015, he served as the official artist of the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

Adam Howard is a four-time Primetime Emmy Award winner for Special Visual Effects. Having originally trained in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, his career has led him to work on over 140 feature films and iconic TV series including Star Trek, Will & Grace, That 70's Show, and The Simpsons. Recognized for his groundbreaking digital effects and animation expertise, he also served as senior VFX Supervisor for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride experience at Universal Studios Orlando, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

Vanilla Ice, initially known for his breakout, Billboard chart-topping hit "Ice, Ice Baby" at the age of 16, transitioned from music to a diverse career in writing, acting, and hosting. With over 30 titles on IMDb, including roles in Adam Sandler comedies and hosting nine seasons of The Vanilla Ice Project on the DIY Network, he has received accolades such as the American Music Award for Favorite Pop Rock Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.

Dean Lyon, a computer graphics pioneer, co-invented ColorGraphics DP Max and played a crucial role in developing a 3D computer graphics finishing system for da Vinci Systems, making films like Avatar possible. Recognized industry-wide for his visual effects skills on big films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he launched Splinter Studios to streamline visual effects-led content production and continues to push the boundaries with his current work at Simba VFX Studios.

Linda Moreno is the Executive Director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the quality of life in Palm Beach County through litter reduction, waste management, and environmental stewardship. Linda utilizes her leadership skills coupled with dynamic vision to promote recycling, beautify public spaces, and inspire community engagement in sustainability initiatives.

Suzanne Niedland is a versatile professional in acting, filmmaking, and Broadway production, recognized for her recent contributions to Spamalot on Broadway and Plaza Suite on the West End, London. She actively serves on boards including The International Committee for the Performing Arts, The President's Advisory Council at The Kennedy Center, DeVos Institute for Arts Management, and The Film, Animation & Recording Arts Business Partnership Council at PBSC.

Michael Orland, associated with the mega-hit TV show American Idol for 16 seasons, is a Pianist, Arranger, Vocal Coach, and Associate Musical Director for FOX and ABC. He has collaborated with various music industry giants and is known for his work on TV shows like Little Big Shots and Forever Young.

JeanCarlo Ramirez is a Colombian-American award-winning filmmaker and founder of IndieHouse Films, and works with a versatile portfolio of clients including National Geographic, Hilton Hotels and Delta Airlines. Conducting educational workshops in schools and museums around the country, his work crosses across multiple genres, such as commercials, lifestyle photography, narrative storytelling, and documentaries. 

Elsten Torres is a multicultural, bilingual artist who performs on stages all over the world.  As an award-winning songwriter with major international hits and two GRAMMY nominations, he is credited as one of the creators of the Latin Alternative Rock sound. Born in Cuba and raised in NYC, his eclectic music has cemented his artistic fingerprints in the music industry for over 3 decades.

Rochelle Walters is the owner of two indie arts houses in Palm Beach County – The Movies of Delray and The Movies of Lake Worth, where she takes pride in featuring a diverse variety of blockbuster, art, independent, and foreign films. Her key role involves meticulous planning of release schedules and selecting films based on compelling storytelling, characters, tone, and artistic merit to ensure a superior and inclusive theater experience.

Monte Young, a producer/writer, has worked on various feature films such as Billy Todd's War, Hitters Anonymous, Gasp, and The Wave. He serves as the managing partner of Studio Central, a post-production facility in Syracuse, New York, that specializes in children's animated television and a live-action feature film trilogy titled Dragon Wars. Before his entertainment career, Young worked as a finance attorney, focusing on infrastructure investments in Asia.

Returning to lead the grand event this year is none other than Frank Licari, an Emmy-nominated host and award-winning writer, producer, and actor. As the charismatic star of South Florida PBS's On the Town in The Palm Beaches and Living Longer | Living Well, Licari is set to host the live show, adding his signature personality to the prestigious occasion.

Now in its 29th year, SSOF has awarded over $4.5 million dollars toward the program in cash, prizes, scholarships, equipment, and in-kind services during its lifetime. The SSOF is the cornerstone of the education outreach initiative of The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission. 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 2024 competition include Suzanne Niedland (Suzanne Niedland Documentary Scholarship), Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Discover The Palm Beaches (Palm Beach County Tourism PSA), Laurence Gartel (Poster Design), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), family and friends of Mel Maron (Mel Maron Scholarship), The Gray Family (Gray Family Scholarship), Carla Bryant (Dr. B. Carleton Bryant Scholarship), Michael Chasin (Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award) and new this year, Five Peaks Animation (Animation Award).

Finalists will be announced at the live awards show on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Maltz Jupiter Theater.  The red carpet rolls out at 9:30 a.m. and the award show begins at 10:30 a.m. 

For more information, please visit pbfilm.com/SSOF.

 

Website:       pbfilm.com/SSOF

Facebook:    facebook.com/StudentShowcaseofFilms

Twitter:        twitter.com/StudentFilmsFL

Instagram:  instagram.com/studentfilmsfl

 

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