South Florida Actor, Entertainment Star, & Philanthropist Bruce Soscia Announced as Judge for 2026 The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films
As aspiring South Florida filmmakers prepare for this year’s The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), they will have the opportunity to receive feedback from an industry expert- Bruce ‘Busta’ Soscia, who has just been announced as one of the event’s esteemed judges.
Known for film roles where he acted alongside household names like Liam Neeson and Rob Lowe, Soscia has quickly risen to prominence, using his successful career to uplift those in need and share his values of kindness, faith, and equality. Last year, he launched his non-profit The Fiixx Foundation, headquartered in Palm Beach, an organization that is transforming compassion into national and global action while partnering with groups such as HERO Foundation, Inc., Food for the Poor, DDS4 vets, and Children’s Home Society of the Palm Beaches.
As a judge for this year’s Student Showcase, Soscia will evaluate submissions across multiple disciplines, including acting, directing, and storytelling. For more than 30 years, the SSOF program has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships, becoming the Sunshine State’s largest and most prestigious student film competition. The annual event celebrates creativity, innovation, and the cinematic spirit of Florida’s young storytellers, with this year’s theme ‘Set-Jetting’ highlighting the love of travel and exploration brought to life through the medium.
Bruce “Busta” Soscia and Liam Neeson Photo Credit: James Healey (aka Jimmy Shirts)
“I am absolutely honored to be part of this year’s competition, and am looking forward to giving each submission the respect it deserves,” said Soscia. “These students have poured their souls into their work, and providing them the support they need to move forward with careers in the industry is a role I take very seriously. The creators of these films may very well become my colleagues in the future, and seeing their beginnings will be an amazing experience I’ll hold deep in my heart.”
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Bruce as one of our esteemed judges for this year’s showcase,” said Michelle Hillery, Film Commissioner for the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. “His experience will help guide the next generation of filmmakers and reinforce what’s possible within the industry.”
The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films judging will take place on FilmFreeway with the awards ceremony scheduled for May 1st, 2026 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. To learn more information, visit https://www.pbfilm.com/ssof.