Full Sail University Dominates 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program, Securing Top Honors Nationwide

Full Sail University has achieved an unprecedented sweep in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program, earning top accolades across the highly competitive nationwide filmmaking contest. The university’s graduate team clinched the prestigious Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award for their compelling short film, Behind the Screens, while Full Sail Lab instructor Kevin Kraus was honored with the Best Music Composition award for his exceptional work on the same project. Adding to this remarkable triumph, the undergraduate student team’s entry, What Makes Them Magic, captivated audiences nationwide, securing the coveted Cinemark Fan Favorite award through public voting. This resounding success underscores Full Sail University’s commitment to fostering exceptional talent and providing students with unparalleled real-world production experience.

The Legacy of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program

Established in 1998, the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program has served as a pivotal platform for emerging cinematic talent across the United States. For nearly three decades, the initiative has celebrated student filmmakers by inviting them to submit original scripts centered around a specific theme provided by contest organizers. The core objective of these narratives is to creatively integrate and highlight Coca-Cola’s iconic presence within the moviegoing experience, a tradition deeply embedded in American culture. Beyond script development, the program offers a rare and invaluable opportunity for selected entrants to transform their concepts into fully realized short films during the final, intensive production phase of the competition.

This year’s competition saw an exceptionally rigorous selection process, with only three submissions advancing to the final round of production. Full Sail University’s impressive achievement of securing two of these coveted spots, and subsequently sweeping the top awards, speaks volumes about the caliber of its programs and the dedication of its students and faculty. The program’s design bridges the gap between academic learning and professional practice, connecting student storytellers with critical elements of the film industry: real-world brand collaboration, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and, perhaps most significantly for aspiring filmmakers, theatrical distribution. This last aspect is particularly transformative, offering college-level creators a tangible pathway to showcase their work to a broad public audience, a feat typically reserved for established industry veterans.

The logistical and creative support for the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program is robust, drawing on a network of prominent industry exhibition and technical partners. Major theater chains such as AMC, B&B Theatres, and Cinemark Theatres play a crucial role, providing not only on-location filming opportunities but also invaluable script feedback and extensive distribution support, ensuring the winning films reach audiences in their venues. On the technical front, leading equipment providers like Red and Nikon furnish professional-grade cameras and lenses, essential tools for both the primary film sets and the accompanying behind-the-scenes documentary teams. Post-production mentorship is equally comprehensive, with experts from CineVantage offering guidance on music composition and sound design, while Company 3, a renowned post-production facility, contributes its expertise in color grading, ensuring each film achieves a polished, professional aesthetic. This holistic support system is designed to replicate the complexities and collaborative nature of a professional film production environment, preparing students for the demands of the industry.

Katie Pryor, the seasoned Program Manager for Coca-Cola Refreshing Films, who has been instrumental in the initiative’s success for nearly eight years, expressed profound admiration for Full Sail University’s infrastructure and educational ecosystem. "I think the facilities here at Full Sail are really, really mind-blowing," Pryor remarked during her visit, highlighting the university’s cutting-edge resources. She further elaborated on the institutional support, stating, "The resources and opportunities that Full Sail provides to their students are phenomenal. This program is a great opportunity for students to get that branded filmmaking experience while they still have the safety net and the resources of the school." Her observations underscore the unique advantage Full Sail offers its students, allowing them to engage in high-stakes, professional-grade projects within a supportive academic framework.

"What Makes Them Magic": A Cinematic Ode to Shared Experiences

The Cinemark Fan Favorite award-winning short film, What Makes Them Magic, was the brainchild of a talented undergraduate team comprising writer and director Brandon Bishop and producer Christina Almuina, both currently enrolled in Full Sail’s Film bachelor’s degree program. Their creation is a heartfelt narrative exploring the profound emotional impact of cinema and the shared human experience it often inspires.

Set within the intimate confines of a movie theater, the film masterfully interweaves multiple vignettes, following diverse audience members as moments unfolding on the silver screen subtly, yet significantly, influence their real lives. Bishop and Almuina’s script portrays a father envisioning his daughter’s future wedding, a recent graduate drawing confidence from the stoicism of a gladiator on screen, and old friends rekindling their bond through the shared enchantment of movie magic. This mosaic of human connection beautifully illustrates the transformative power of storytelling. Bishop articulated the film’s core philosophy, stating, "One of the only art forms that you go spend two hours in is a movie, and then you make a fundamental life change after that because you saw something that moved you. That’s really great, beautiful, and magical." This sentiment resonated deeply with the nationwide audience, leading to its selection as the Cinemark Fan Favorite.

The production of What Makes Them Magic leveraged Full Sail University’s impressive technological infrastructure, including its state-of-the-art $3 million virtual production studio, Studio V1. This cutting-edge facility allowed the team to create dynamic and immersive visual environments, pushing the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. Complementing the studio work, scenes were also filmed on location at AMC Altamonte Springs, a testament to the valuable theater partnerships facilitated by the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. The film’s crew was predominantly composed of students from Full Sail’s Film & Television programs, gaining invaluable hands-on experience across various departments. This student-led effort was further bolstered by dedicated faculty support from multiple academic disciplines, including 3D arts, virtual production, and audio, showcasing the interdisciplinary collaboration fostered within the university.

"Behind the Screens": A Grand Prize Journey Through Cinematic History

The graduate team’s entry, Behind the Screens, which earned the prestigious Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award, offered an ambitious and imaginative celebration of cinematic evolution. Written and directed by Film graduate Angel Quinapallo and produced by fellow Film graduate Kylie Shouse, the short film pays homage to the rich tapestry of cinema through the evocative lens of Americana.

The film’s captivating concept posits a hidden, fantastical world existing just beyond the movie screen—a realm where the entire history of cinema resides, continuously working to bring the magic of the movies to life for audiences. This imaginative premise provided a fertile ground for creative storytelling and visual spectacle. Shouse eloquently described the essence of their project, noting, "This script just crackles with energy and captures the creativity and controlled chaos that happens behind the scenes when creating movie magic. It mirrors all the work that we as student filmmakers experience to create these 60 seconds of branded content." Her statement highlights the meta-narrative embedded within the film, reflecting the very journey of its creation.

The production of Behind the Screens was ambitious in its scope, requiring the collective effort of dozens of Full Sail students, graduates, and faculty. This collaborative endeavor saw the custom-building of elaborate props, including a life-sized T-Rex tail, and the intricate costuming of numerous characters representing different eras of film history. Such extensive practical effects and character work underscore the advanced production capabilities and talent pool available at Full Sail. Similar to its undergraduate counterpart, Behind the Screens utilized the university’s cutting-edge virtual production capabilities within Studio V1, allowing for the creation of intricate and dynamic environments. Additional scenes were shot on location at Cinemark Orlando and XD, further demonstrating the practical benefits of the program’s theater partnerships. After months of intensive collaborative production, the graduate team’s final submission was rightfully recognized as the Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award winner, a testament to its creative vision and flawless execution.

Further solidifying Full Sail’s sweep, Music Production graduate and current Full Sail Lab instructor Kevin Kraus was honored with the Best Music Composition Award for his outstanding score for Behind the Screens. His contribution added a vital layer of emotional depth and narrative texture to the film, showcasing the critical role of sound in cinematic storytelling. Kraus expressed his gratification, stating, "It’s incredibly gratifying to get an award for something that I’ve put so much time and work into. This whole project has been an absolute labor of love." His recognition highlights the interdisciplinary excellence within Full Sail, where different creative disciplines converge to produce award-winning work.

Real-World Immersion: The Full Sail Advantage

The comprehensive success of Full Sail University in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program is a direct reflection of its educational philosophy, which prioritizes real-world, hands-on experience. Across both award-winning productions, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the crews were comprised of Full Sail University students and recent graduates. This remarkable statistic means that current students were afforded an unparalleled opportunity to gain practical, professional experience on a nationally recognized branded production. They collaborated intensively with peers, received mentorship from experienced faculty, and engaged directly with industry professionals within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment—a simulated professional setting that is invaluable for career preparation.

The students navigated a full spectrum of professional workflow challenges, mirroring the demands of actual industry projects. From meticulous budgeting and securing necessary insurance to complex casting decisions, script revisions based on feedback, and navigating brand approvals, both teams managed a comprehensive production pipeline. This exposure to the intricate details and logistical complexities of film production, often overlooked in theoretical curricula, provides Full Sail graduates with a significant competitive edge upon entering the industry. The ability to work within such a structured yet creative framework, while still benefiting from the "safety net" of the university, as noted by Katie Pryor, allows students to experiment, learn from challenges, and refine their craft without the full commercial pressures of an independent production.

Broader Implications and Future Outlook

Full Sail University’s dominant performance in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program carries significant implications for its students, the institution, and the broader landscape of film education. For the students involved, these awards are more than just recognition; they represent tangible professional credits, invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders, and the rare experience of having their work distributed in major theatrical venues nationwide. Such exposure can be a pivotal launchpad for their nascent careers, opening doors to future collaborations and employment opportunities.

For Full Sail University, this sweep reinforces its reputation as a premier institution for entertainment and media education. It serves as compelling evidence of the efficacy of its curriculum, the quality of its facilities, and the expertise of its faculty. This success will undoubtedly attract a new generation of aspiring filmmakers, further solidifying the university’s position at the forefront of innovative creative education. The program also highlights the growing importance of virtual production capabilities in modern filmmaking, an area where Full Sail has made significant investments and demonstrated considerable prowess through the utilization of Studio V1.

From an industry perspective, the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program, and Full Sail’s success within it, showcases the vibrant pipeline of emerging talent. It demonstrates that student filmmakers are not only capable of producing high-quality content but also possess the creativity and technical acumen to tackle branded content effectively. The fresh perspectives and innovative approaches seen in films like What Makes Them Magic and Behind the Screens signal a promising future for the filmmaking world, indicating a continuous influx of skilled and imaginative storytellers ready to shape the cinematic experiences of tomorrow. The ongoing collaboration between academic institutions, corporate brands, and industry partners, exemplified by this program, continues to be a vital mechanism for nurturing the next generation of film professionals and ensuring the enduring magic of the movies.