25th Student Film Awards Announced

(PRESS RELEASE)_(Palm Beach County, FL – April 3, 2020) - The 25th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), Florida’s largest student film competition & award show, recognized top high school and college students for their talent and creativity.

“I’m delighted to congratulate this talented group of future filmmakers, writers, and graphic designers.  The competition received more eligible entries than ever before from all corners of the state,” said Michelle Hillery, Palm Beach County Deputy Film Commissioner and SSOF executive producer. 

“And with this year being a milestone, we were looking forward to an extra special red carpet and award show.  However, we were determined to not let the coronavirus pandemic ruin all the fun.  In an effort prove that the show must go on, we turned to social media to announce the results and to celebrate these hardworking students. We look forward to resuming as normal next year,” she continued.

Winners were announced online via a Facebook Watch Party. Eager students watched from the safety of their homes as their name and award was displayed in an original SSOF video presentation. Throughout the video, show host Frank Licari serenaded students with a humorous take on a Billie Eilish hit reimagined as Film Guy.

“An absence of ceremony in no way diminishes these amazing achievements!” added Licari.

Forty-eight film industry professionals from around the world had the difficult challenge of selecting finalists from 377 eligible entries in 12 categories.  More than $20,000 in scholarships and awards were presented. 

The 2020 Student Showcase of Films Award Winners are:

Donald E. Ross Education PSA Award ($1,000)
Parker Miller, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville) - “Crossing the Gap” 

Commercial/PSA Award ($750)
Heidi Kafer, G-Star School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) - “Bound”

Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Inc. Environmental PSA Award ($1,000)
Josh Riemer, Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. (Parkland) - “Plastic PSA – End Plastic Pollution”

Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award ($500)
Thomas McCabe, G-Star School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) - “Ain’t No Love”

Animation Award ($1,000)
Suyoung Jang, Ringling College of Art & Design (Sarasota), “Shattered”
Suzanne L. Niedland Documentary Award ($1,000)
Carsen Jessell, Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts (Tallahassee), “Into the Flames”
 
Film Florida’s Sara Fuller Scholarship ($1,000)
Carlos Novoa, G-Star School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
 
Burt Reynolds Scholarship ($5,000)
Samuel Hahn, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
Vanilla Ice Music Video Award ($1,000)
Isaiah Fernandez, West Broward H.S. (Pembroke Pines) – “Uneventful Days”

College Feature/Short Awards
1st Place – Samuel Romero and Arminio Rivero, Miami Dade College (Miami) – “Speak Only Good of the Dead” ($2,000)
2nd Place – William Stead, Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts (Tallahassee) – “The Last Summer” ($1,500)
3rd Place – Sarah Holland, University of Central Florida (Orlando) – “Egghead & Twinkie” ($1,250)

High School Feature/Short Awards
1st Place – Josh Ceranic, Harrison School for the Arts (Lakeland) – “David Isn’t Here Anymore” ($1,500)
2nd Place – Kaia Goudreau, Fort Lauderdale H.S. (Fort Lauderdale) – “Melted” ($1,000)
3rd Place – Jayden Torres and Alex Torres, Harrison School for the Arts (Lakeland) – “Desperado” ($750)

Poster Design Award ($750)
Kaitlynn Touchton, Dixie Hollins High School (St. Petersburg)

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