The Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission has announced the winners of the 31st Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), Florida’s largest student film competition and award show. This year’s program celebrated 20 standout winners selected from a record-breaking 636 submissions representing 95 schools statewide, highlighting the exceptional talent of Florida’s next generation of filmmakers.

Held at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, the event welcomed nearly 600 attendees for a red-carpet pre-show and live awards ceremony. More than $30,000 in scholarships, cash prizes, and awards were presented to students across a wide range of categories.

This year’s event fully embraced the theme of “Set-Jetting,” the growing trend of traveling to destinations seen on screen. The Maltz Jupiter Theatre was transformed into a cinematic escape inspired by the golden age of travel and classic Palm Beach style, with elements reminiscent of vintage air travel, luxury resort arrivals, and iconic film locations. From red carpet arrivals to the stage design, the experience immersed guests in a world where storytelling and destination intersect, reinforcing how film can inspire audiences to explore new places.

Three-time Emmy-nominated entertainer Frank Licari hosted the high-energy ceremony, opening the show with a dynamic performance. The event featured appearances by Rob Van Winkle “Vanilla Ice”, longtime SSOF supporter and Music Video category judge & presenter, along with rising actress Melodie Rose Romano from ABC’s “R.J. Decker”, actor Hank Greenspan from “The Neighborhood” & “Ethan Bloom”, and conservationist and television host Jeff Corwin from “Wildlife Nation with Jeff Corwin: Expedition Florida” reinforcing the power of storytelling across entertainment and environmental platforms.

“This year’s winners represent the future of our industry,” said Michelle Hillery, Film Commissioner of the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. “SSOF continues to elevate emerging voices while supporting workforce development and creative opportunities across Florida.”

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the $5,000 Burt Reynolds Scholarship, awarded to Lyla Claggett of G-Star School of the Arts, honoring exceptional promise in filmmaking. The scholarship continues the legacy of Burt Reynolds, whose commitment to mentoring young talent remains at the heart of the program.

Judged by a panel of 46 industry professionals, this year’s competition marked one of the most competitive in the program’s 31-year history.

The finalists, along with their families, teachers, and peers, were celebrated before a standing-room-only audience, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from Florida’s high schools and colleges.

Event presenters included Michael Chasin (Screenwriting); Laurence Gartel (Poster Design sponsor and SSOF judge); Tanya Rogers of WPTV/WFLX (Commercial PSA); Linda Moreno (Environmental PSA, Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful); and Jevon White (Teacher of the Year). Additional presenters included Matt Lincoln of WPEC (Scholarships); Sandy Lighterman (Film Florida Sara Fuller Scholarship); Rochelle Walters (Mel Maron & Gray Family Scholarships) & Glen Gray (Gray Family Scholarship).

Nancy Lee Hess, niece of Burt Reynolds, presented the Burt Reynolds Scholarships, with Frank Eberling, Aaron Wells; and Suzanne Niedland (also presented for Documentary) continuing the legacy of one of the program’s most meaningful honors.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Palm Beach County’s Film Commissioner, Michelle Hillery and Mayor Sara Baxter, with Erika Constantine, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Discover The Palm Beaches, presenting the Tourism PSA Award.

The winners of the 31st Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films are:

Burt Reynolds Scholarships

· Burt Reynolds Scholarship ($5,000) – Lyla Claggett, G-Star High School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)

· Dr. B. Carleton Bryant Scholarship ($1,000) – Lilian Amiryan, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee)

· Film Florida Sara Fuller Scholarship ($1,000) – Izzy Huntley, G-Star High School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)

· Mel Maron Scholarship ($1,000) – Tamsin Lee, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee)

· Gray Family Scholarship ($1,000) – Taylor Simms, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee)

College Feature/Short Awards

· 1st Place ($2,000) – Nico Wilcox Cano, Florida State University (Tallahassee), Little Dark Rooms

· 2nd Place ($1,500) – Rodrigo Perez, Ringling College of Arts & Design (Sarasota), Contigo

· 3rd Place ($1,000) – Caleb Cook, Florida State University (Tallahassee), Lovesick, Fallout.

High School Feature/Short Awards

· 1st Place ($2,000) – Zachary Newman, NSU University School (Davie), What’s Really Inside

· 2nd Place ($1,500) – Ethan Malka, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach), The Experiment

· 3rd Place ($1,000) – Sophie Drost, Lakeland Christian School (Lakeland), Water’s Memory

Suzanne Niedland Documentary Award ($2,000)

· Sam Perez Laurenza, Florida State University (Tallahassee), The Golden Touch

Vanilla Ice Music Video Award ($1,000)

· William Markgraf, Gabriel Gray, Jonny McCarty, Kolton Smith, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee), Buy Me A Boat

Animation Award ($3,000)

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 31st ANNUAL PALM BEACHES STUDENT SHOWCASE OF FILMS