PB Film

Media Contact:
Lauren Tobin
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M: 310.780.1818
Ltobin@pbfilm.com

Saluting Florida’s Future Filmmakers

 Florida’s Largest Student Film Competition and Award Show Continues to Celebrate Florida’s Talented Student Filmmakers - The Show Will Go On! 

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (October 6, 2020) – In a time of drastic changes on high school and college campuses nationwide, The 26^th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) remains an enduring educational and artistic opportunity for Florida students.

Submissions are now being accepted for SSOF. The competition is free and open to aspiring filmmakers, writers, graphic designers, and digital media artists who are currently enrolled in any high school or college in the state of Florida.

For nearly three decades, SSOF has awarded more than $1.6 million.  The program offers more than $20,000 in cash, scholarships and prizes up for grabs for entries in the following categories:  

New for 2021, special recognition will be given for best directing, editing, production design, and special effects. In a continuing tribute to the legacy of film legend, Burt Reynolds, the SSOF will present to a Palm Beach County high school senior, The Burt Reynolds Scholarship Award, a $5,000 cash prize. Mr. Reynolds was a longtime supporter and frequent presenter at the SSOF Red Carpet Award Show.

Interested faculty and students should visit pbfilm.com/ssof for more details and entry guidelines for each category.  The deadline for entry is January 25, 2021.

“While no one could have predicted the extreme and sudden challenges we faced this year, we are determined to keep moving forward with celebrating these creative, hardworking students and future storytellers. We remain steadfast with our commitment to this program and look forward to even greater statewide student participation – whether students are on campus or learning from home,” says Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission Deputy Film Commissioner and SSOF executive producer, Michelle Hillery. 

Entries are judged by an international panel of more than 40 entertainment industry experts.  Among the list of previous judges are Emmy Award-winning TV writer/showrunner Chic Eglee (American Gods), musical director Michael Orland (American Idol), ESPN documentary filmmaker Billy Corben, visual effects supervisor Dean Lyon, digital content creator Cody Johns, Executive Producer for Warner Animation Group Jinko Gotoh, Hollywood composer and orchestrator Hal Rosenfeld, acclaimed television writer Hal Cantor, and casting agent Ellen Jacoby, just to highlight a few.

Decisions regarding this year’s winners announcement program will be made based on appropriate health and safety recommendations.

Last year’s winners were announced via a live Facebook watch party, which allowed for even greater friends, family and faculty viewing than the traditional in-person show. Winners were able to record unique acceptance speeches which were also shared via social media. 

Whether in person or online, the award show is produced and hosted by award-winning actor/director Frank Licari (South Florida PBS’ On the Town in The Palm Beaches) 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, actors Cheri Oteri (SNL), Linda Blair (The Exorcist), Bruce Campbell (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Clint Howard (The Waterboy), Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie) and of course, the legendary Burt Reynolds. Last year’s red carpet award show was broadcast live and is still available for on demand viewing via ThePalmBeaches.TV. 

The SSOF is the cornerstone of the education outreach initiative of The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission.  The competition engages faculty and school administrators in guiding student participation.  The SSOF is funded by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Housing & Economic Sustainability and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. Award sponsors include Suzanne L. Niedland (Suzanne L. Niedland Documentary Scholarship), Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), and Michael Chasin (Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award).

For additional images and video, click here to download.

Facebook: facebook.com/StudentShowcaseofFilms

Twitter: twitter.com/StudentFilmsFL

Instagram: instagram.com/studentfilmsfl