The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films

Overview

Welcome to the 2026 Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films, the largest statewide film competition and award show for high school and college students! The SSOF team extends heartfelt congratulations to every student filmmaker, editor, actor, animator, writer, and creator who contributed to this year’s incredible lineup. A record-breaking 636 submissions from 95 high schools and colleges across Florida were entered this year, demonstrating the depth of creative talent emerging from the state’s next generation of filmmakers, animators, writers, and digital storytellers. Finalists were selected by an esteemed panel of 46 industry professionals, making this year’s competition one of the most competitive in the program’s 31-year history. “Student Showcase of Films continues to highlight the incredible creativity and storytelling talent developing across Florida,” said Michelle Hillery, Film Commissioner of the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. “Programs like SSOF play an important role in supporting workforce development and ensuring the next generation of filmmakers have opportunities to grow, collaborate, and contribute to Florida’s thriving film and media industry.” The juried competition recognizes outstanding high school and college students by presenting more than $30K in scholarships and awards in the following categories: College & High School Feature/ Shorts, Documentary, Music Video, Animation, Environmental PSA, Commercial PSA, Palm Beach County Tourism PSA, Screenwriting, Poster Design and Teacher of the Year. Honoring the late acting and directing legend, Burt Reynolds, the SSOF continues to endow a scholarship bearing his name, memorializing his legacy as a loyal advocate for education, to a Palm Beach County, Florida, High School Senior. In addition to the Burt Reynolds Scholarship, the SSOF honors excellence in filmmaking by providing additional scholarships to the top contenders through the Sara Fuller Scholarship by Film Florida, the Mel Maron Scholarship, the Gray Family Scholarship and the Dr. B. Carleton Bryant Scholarship. Winners were announced at the live award show on May 1, 2026 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. The 2026 award show theme, “Set-Jetting,” highlighted how films inspire audiences to travel, explore, and experience destinations seen on screen. The concept aligns with Palm Beach County’s reputation as a film-friendly destination and encourages students to imagine Florida not just as a backdrop, but as a star of their stories. For a full list of this year's SSOF winners, please visit www.pbfilm.com/ssof

Last updated Sep 17, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Trust Signals

Festival Details

FilmFreeway community

• Filmmaker

  Very well organized and entertaining! Thank you for having us be a part of this year's show!

• Filmmaker

  My students had a great time and said it was a good networking opportunity!

• Filmmaker

  Harrison School for the Arts

• Filmmaker

  Had a great time at the student showcase! a great first time festival experience. Highly recommend to students in the area

• Filmmaker

  Would recommend for Florida students, very fun.

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