The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films Celebrates 30-year Anniversary with Red Carpet Award Show

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (April 18, 2025) – The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission is gearing up for the 30th Anniversary of the Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) award show. This year, a record-breaking 617 eligible submissions from 85 schools across Florida were received, showcasing the incredible creativity of the state’s emerging talent. Selecting finalists from this group was a challenging assignment for the esteemed panel of 54 international judges.

Florida native Wes Ball, director and producer, known for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), and The Maze Runner Trilogy, began his journey in filmmaking at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts. The 2003 Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films finalist returned as a 2025 judge. Reflecting on his journey, Ball shared, "Judging this competition is a full-circle moment. Competitions like this don’t just celebrate creativity, they inspire careers."

Winners will be revealed, and over $30,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded live during the event. ​This year’s theme celebrates where SSOF alumni are now in their production careers. On Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, Frank Licari—Three-time Emmy-nominated host and award-winning entertainer, producer, writer, musician, and actor—will lead the show.

The finalists (and honorees), in alphabetical order by category, are:

Burt Reynolds Scholarship Finalists
Martine McQueen Francois, G-Star High School of the Arts (Palm Springs)
Rachel Hunter, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Westlake)
Reagan Bresnahan, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Westlake)
Ryan Markovitz, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (Palm Beach)
Shayla Stillwaggon, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Westlake)

College Feature/Short Finalists
Almendra Kovač Akel, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), ROT
Joshua Bowen, Florida State University (Tallahassee), Fine Dining
Wilderley Mauricette, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Curtain Call

High School Feature/Short Finalists
Ava Nepola, West Broward High School (Pembroke Pines), What Happened to Me
Narciso Reyes, Miami Arts Studio (Miami), Shed of Secrets
Riley Walsh, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland), Afterglow

Documentary Finalists
Ross Widener, University of Central Florida (Orlando), Ghost of the Marsh
Sebastian Valencia, Florida State University (Tallahassee), Dirt Therapy
Victor San Martin-Diaz, University of Florida (Gainesville), Echoes in the Dark

Music Video Finalists
Anisa Olivieri, West Broward High School (Pembroke Pines), String Theory
Riley Phillips, Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth) Bad Idea, Right?
Samuel Correa and Juan Martinez, Florida State University (Tallahassee), Upset Heart

Animation Finalists
Amarise DeFranco, Miami Dade College - North Campus (Miami), LAKAY
Elena Serenko, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), The Red Heel
Mason Klesch and Vivian Osness, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), The Mooning
Environmental PSA Finalists
Jadon Alexander, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville), Save the World, Together
Riley Fromen, Coral Shores High School (Tavernier), I Care About Coral
Riley Walsh, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland), Don't be a Villian

Commercial PSA Finalists
Katelyn Lackner, Pompano Beach High School (Pompano), Reconnect With You
Lucy Crawford (Coco Suarez, Petyon Greene), NSU University School (Davie), If I Could Do It All Again
Lucy Crawford (Nicole Krinickas, Ariana Intsiful), NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale), Fentanyl Kills

Screenwriting Finalists
Emi Optekar, NSU University School (Davie), POPS
Katerina Carlson, Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando), Telephone
Luke Panzo, Lynn University (Boca Raton), We'll Meet Again

Poster Finalists
Nehemiah Joseph, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), Poster
Samantha Garcia, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), Retro Film Poster
Viviana Benitez-Macedo, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), Beach Doodle

Tourism PSA Finalists
Jacob Sceurrer, David Waddell, Aiden Allen, Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens), Tourism PSA
Kristin Anderson, Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens), Tourism PSA
Mary Vail Vasquez, Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens), The Palm Beaches are Paradise

Teacher of the Year Nominees*
Jennifer Marquis, Gulf Coast High School (Naples)
Josh Ellis, Miami Dade College / SEDT (Miami)
Michael Jacques, Film Acting with Michael Jacques (Fort Lauderdale)
Nathan Tonnessen, G-Star High School of the Arts (Palm Springs)
Ryan Dockery, Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens)
Samantha Kountz, Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale)
Shaun Olavarria, University High School (Orange City)

*The “Teacher of the Year Award,” as nominated by the students, will be announced at the live award show. For more information, visit our website: https://www.pbfilm.com/ssof

Category: Community | Local / Community