JUPITER'S TOP STUDENT FILMMAKERS WORK THE RED CARPET AT THE STUDENT SHOWCASE OF FILMS AWARDS GALA

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (April 23, 2008)-A crowd of more than 700 talented students and film buffs gathered on Apr. 15 to celebrate Florida's finest in student filmmaking at the 13 th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival's Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) awards gala. Jupiter High School's Callie Aitken, Keith Sonchaiwanich and Richard Pergolizzi were among those recognized at the gala. Competition finalists walked the red carpet - Hollywood style - as they entered the Palm Beach Community College's Duncan Theatre where the winners of the prestigious awards were announced.

The curtains opened to reveal an elaborate stage set featuring a giant iPod-shaped preview screen complete with shadow dancers silhouetted by neon lights. Local comedians Frank Licari, Travis Thomas and Jesse Furman of The Jove Improv served as hosts of the show and announced notable award presenters including Louis Lombardi ("24," "The Sopranos," Dough Boys) and Vincent Cecere ( Analyze This, The Flyboys). The hosts also starred in an attention-grabbing opening film directed by the Student Showcase of Films Producer, Alex Marquez, a Palm Beach Community College graduate and two-time past winner of SSOF. The film can be viewed at www.myspace.com/pbcfilm.

"With a record 193 entries for the competition, plus the addition of the audience award and viral video competition this year, the 2008 Student Showcase of Films was a complete success," said Michelle Hillery, Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission's Director of Operations and Programs and Student Showcase of Films Producer. "It's important to offer an entertaining forum where students can present their creative talents as they give back to their education at the same time."

Top student filmmakers were recognized in several film categories, a screenwriting competition, a poster contest and two scholarships. Awarded with more than $30,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, the 2008 winners are:

1 st Place College Feature/Shorts and Documentaries
Ryan Spindell, Kirksdale, Florida State University

2 nd Place College Feature/Shorts and Documentaries
Joshua Knight and Max Miller, The Master, Full Sail

3 rd Place College Feature/Shorts and Documentaries
Cory Braun, Dupe, University of Miami

1 st Place High School Feature/Shorts and Documentaries
Nicole Groton, The Chosen One, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

2 nd Place High School Feature/Shorts and Documentaries
Fernando Pacheco, Vendetta, Design & Architecture High School

3 rd Place High School Feature/Shorts and Documentaries (tied)
Julien Pujol, La Tristesse de M. Jaccoud, Design & Architecture High School; Callie Aitken, Keith Sonchaiwanich, Richard Pergolizzi, Jupiter in Jeopardy, Jupiter High School

1 st Place Animation
Alex Duque and Gregory Tate, Praemonitus, Digital Media Arts College

1 st Place Music Video
Amanda Carr, Hope, Charlotte High School

1 st Place Commercial/PSA
Jacob Abrams, 1941, Spanish River High School

1 st Place Screenwriting
Jared Mizel, Operation Detonation, Spanish River High School

1 st Place Poster Awards
Joseph Gerbino and Alison Schwartz, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

Audience Award
Houston Jones, Joseph Gerbino, Joseph Poach, Daniel Satinoff and Errol Sabinano, Satori, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

1 st Place Viral Video Award
Grant Yansura, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

2 nd Place Viral Video Award
Julie Bollinger, Cassandra Brescacin, Andrew Suarez and Ashley Radabaugh, Seminole Ridge High School

3 rd Place Viral Video Award
Erica Serio, Park Vista High School

Burt Reynolds Scholarship Winners
Emily Dyess, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts;
Daniel Satinoff, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

The Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) is one of the few film festivals in the world whose proceeds are channeled into film education. To date approximately one million dollars has been awarded in the form of cash awards, prizes and scholarships to individual students and schools. This program is funded by the PBIFF, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the Palm Beach County Economic Development Office and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. For more information about the PBIFF please visit pbifilmfest.org.