Now Accepting Entries. Apply Today!

South Florida PBS is searching for aspiring student filmmakers who have an interesting and thought-provoking story to tell! Five student filmmakers in Broward County will be chosen to participate, with the ultimate goal of bringing their short film ideas to public television and the big screen.

This program is made possible by The Friends of South Florida PBS. There is no cost to enter or participate in this program. Submit your short film concept today! The deadline to apply is  December 31, 2026.

Requirements:

• Students must be a junior or sophomore at a Broward County School
• Students must commit to an 18-month film mentorship and production program
• Stories must be original and should focus on addressing an area of concern for the community.
• Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2026. 
   

If chosen, each student filmmaker will:

• Receive guidance and support from a successful filmmaker and a TV professional
• Learn from the pros about what it takes to create a short film that makes an impact
• Attend networking events with film professionals and storytellers from across South Florida
• Bring their story idea to the big screen…and to the airwaves on South Florida PBS, reaching a potential audience of 6.3 million from the Keys to the Treasure Coast
   

Tips for submitting a successful proposal:

• We are looking for compelling stories or creative ideas that spark dialogue and inspire meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing South Florida communities.
• You do not need a completed script or fully developed film concept to apply.
• Both narrative and documentary film proposals are welcome.
• The expected running time of the completed film is approximately 5–10 minutes.
• Entries will be reviewed by a jury of television professionals and filmmakers who have created significant works focused on issues impacting the South Florida community.

Watch films created by previous Flip the Script students:  https://www.pbs.org/video/film-maker-flip-the-script-broward-0hlikv/ 

For more inspiration, view these films featured as part of the film-maker program:

Peanut Headz Black History Toonz - Uses hand-drawn animation to tell the story of Harriet Tubman. 

Hope & Harmony - Tells the story of a young musician finding inspiration on the streets of Miami. 

ActorLife - A comedic look into an aspiring actor's career. 

Tape12 - Follows a group of student filmmakers and a series of event that hurls them towards danger. 

Krome Ave. - Tells the story of best friends stranded roadside and the greed that threatens to tear them apart. 

Lucas - Follows a transgender youth grappling with unexpected trauma. 
 

For more information, contact Anabel Moncada at amoncada@southfloridapbs.org. 

If you enjoy independent films by local filmmakers, check out South Florida PBS' film-maker Season 8:  https://www.pbs.org/show/film-maker/

About South Florida PBS
South Florida PBS is Florida’s largest public media company, including Public Broadcasting stations WXEL-TV, serving the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast and WPBT2, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and the Health Channel, the only 24/7 channel dedicated to health in the nation. South Florida PBS connects organizations and institutions across our region and preserves South Florida's history. Leading the way in this global society, South Florida PBS is committed to creating and presenting award-winning programs focused on kids, education, arts and culture, health, environment, science, and civic engagement. Learn more at www.southfloridapbs.org/.