PB Film

     The 28^th ANNUAL PALM BEACHES STUDENT SHOWCASE of FILMS

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (February 6, 2023) – Submissions are now closed for The 28^th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF). The SSOF remains an enduring educational and artistic opportunity for Florida students.

For nearly three decades, SSOF has awarded more than $1.6 million. The program offers more than $20,000 in cash, scholarships and prizes. 

The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films

Winners will be announced at the live awards show on April 21, 2023, hosted at the newly renovated and expanded Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. At last year’s show, Channel 20 orchestrated a 3-camera live broadcast that was shared through all the SSOF and Film Commission social media channels. The 2022 Award Show featured fully produced segments which included a dazzling original opening film and performance by host, Frank Licari, student films, award presentations, student acceptance speeches, a professionally produced video package showcasing the Burt Reynolds Scholarship finalists, original graphics, appreciation to SSOF judges, special recognition award categories and much more. The announcement of a new scholarship program, the Mel Maron Scholarship, in memory of the Hollywood legend and supporter of SSOF was also announced. Reality TV star and rapper Vanilla Ice; Ted Melfi, the director of “Hidden Figures,” a film nominated for three Academy Awards; were among the celebrity presenters, along with several local television personalities including Caroline Coles, Breaking News Anchor and Traffic Reporter for WPBF News Channel 25, Matt Lincoln, News Anchor and Sports Director for CBS News Channel 12, and TA Walker, Entertainment Reporter for WPTV News Channel 5.

Entries are viewed and evaluated by a panel of 50 entertainment industry experts from around the globe. Past judges have included Rap star Vanilla Ice, Emmy-winning writer and show-runner Chic Eglee, American Idol and America’s Got Talent musical director Michael Orland, ESPN filmmaker Billy Corben, award-winning visual effects superstar Adam Howard, casting giant Ellen Jacoby, Hollywood composer Hal Rosenfeld, Emmy-nominated actress Kelsey Scott, Emmy and Grammy-nominated composer Ryan Shore, acclaimed international artist Ralfonso, stuntman Mike Kennedy, TV and film producer Elayne “E.K.” Keratsis and many more.

Whether on the small screen or the big stage, the award show is hosted by award-winning actor/director Frank Licari (South Florida PBS’ On the Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari) 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, 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. 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 Development and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. Award sponsors include Suzanne Niedland (Suzanne Niedland Documentary Scholarship), Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), 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

Saluting Florida's Future Filmmakers Since 1995