Still from Final Deathtination by Marika Tamura ’21, Computer Animation
The 27th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), Florida’s largest student film competition and award show, took place in Jupiter, FL on May 6, 2022. The event was held live and in-person for the first time since 2019.
Numerous celebrities and industry professionals were in attendance including Reality TV star and rapper Vanilla Ice and Oscar-nominated director Ted Melfi (Hidden Figures) who presented, along with several local television personalities. Frank Licari, an Emmy-nominated host, a Telly and Addy award-winning writer, producer, actor, and star of South Florida PBS’s On the Town in The Palm Beaches hosted the live show.
Palm Beach County’s Deputy Film Commissioner and Executive Producer of the Student Showcase of Films Michelle Hillery stated that the Showcase received hundreds of submissions from nearly 50 different schools across Florida this year.
The following Ringling College Computer Animation alumni were selected as finalists:
Animation Finalists
Mild Niamkongkit and Kristen Yuan, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Gaslight
Marika Tamura, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Final Deathination
Alexander Tullo, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Barking Orders
Special Recognitions
Shreya Devarakonda and Daniela Portilla, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), By The Book
Alexander Tullo, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Barking Orders
More than $20,000 in scholarship money, along with customized signature trophies, were awarded during the awards ceremony.
Congratulations to the following winners of the 27th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films from Ringling College of Art and Design:
Animation Award ($1,000)
Marika Tamura, Ringling College of Art and Design, (Sarasota), Final Deathination
Special Recognition Awards
Best Director – Shreya Devarakonda and Daniela Portilla, Ringling College of Art and Design
(Sarasota), By The Book
Best Special Effects – Alexander Tullo, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Barking Orders
Still from Barking Orders by Alexander Tullo ’21, Computer Animation
About The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films
Student submissions are judged by industry professionals with finalists to be presented with cash awards and prizes during the red-carpet awards show. Every year, the SSOF awards show attracts more than 650 students and their families, along with celebrity presenters, industry pros, media, state and county dignitaries, performers and more. Celebrity presenters have included Burt Reynolds, Vanilla Ice, Cheri Oteri, Backstreet Boys Howie D., Thomas Ian Nicholas, Bruce Campbell, Clint Howard, Linda Blair, Montel Williams, Anthony Anderson, Ice-T, Martin Kove, Billy West, Hector David Jr., Conrad Ricamora, Zack Gottsagen and many more! The SSOF is funded by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Housing & Economic Sustainability. Major sponsors include The Maltz Jupiter Theatre and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. Category sponsors include Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), Suzanne Niedland (Suzanne Niedland Documentary), Michael Chasin (Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award) and Ralf Gschwend (Poster Design). For more information, please visit: www.pbfilm.com/ssof