Full Sail University Dominates 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films, Securing Top Honors Across National Competition

Full Sail University has achieved an unprecedented sweep in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program, a nationwide filmmaking contest that celebrates and cultivates emerging talent. The university’s teams secured top honors across the competition, marking a significant milestone in its history and underscoring the exceptional caliber of its film and media programs. The graduate team’s poignant short film, Behind the Screens, was awarded the coveted Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize, while the undergraduate team’s emotionally resonant What Makes Them Magic captivated audiences to earn the Cinemark Fan Favorite award. Further solidifying Full Sail’s comprehensive victory, Full Sail Lab instructor and Music Production graduate Kevin Kraus received the Best Music Composition award for his masterful work on Behind the Screens, completing a clean sweep of the program’s most prestigious accolades.

A Historic Victory for Full Sail University

The 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program saw Full Sail University not only participate but truly dominate, with two of the three final submissions coming from its talented student body. This remarkable achievement highlights the institution’s commitment to providing students with real-world experience, state-of-the-art facilities, and mentorship that prepares them for success in the competitive entertainment industry. The dual victories, spanning both critical acclaim from an industry panel and widespread popular appeal, demonstrate the breadth and depth of creative talent fostered within Full Sail’s academic environment. The sweep is a testament to the collaborative spirit and technical prowess of the students, faculty, and staff involved, positioning Full Sail University as a leading force in film education.

Understanding the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program: A Legacy of Nurturing Talent

The Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program, established in 1998, has grown to become a cornerstone initiative in supporting the next generation of filmmakers across the United States. For over two decades, the program has offered a unique platform for student storytellers and recent graduates from participating film schools to showcase their creativity and technical skills. The core of the competition revolves around the submission of original scripts that adhere to a specific theme provided by contest organizers, typically focusing on Coca-Cola’s integral role in enhancing the moviegoing experience.

The program’s design is meticulously crafted to simulate a professional production environment. After an initial script selection phase, a select few entries advance to the final round, where students are tasked with transforming their scripts into fully realized short films. This year, the intensity of the competition was particularly high, with only three submissions making it to the final production phase. Full Sail University’s success in securing two of these coveted spots underscores the competitive edge and creative vision cultivated within its programs.

More than just a competition, Coca-Cola Refreshing Films serves as a critical bridge between academic learning and professional practice. It connects aspiring filmmakers with invaluable real-world brand collaboration opportunities, direct mentorship from industry veterans, and, perhaps most significantly, theatrical distribution. This last aspect is a rare and highly sought-after opportunity for college-level filmmakers, offering unparalleled exposure and a taste of the professional distribution landscape.

The program benefits immensely from a robust network of industry exhibition and technical partners. Major cinema chains such as AMC, B&B Theatres, and Cinemark Theatres not only provide invaluable locations for filming but also offer crucial script feedback and play a pivotal role in the theatrical distribution of the final shorts. On the technical front, leading brands like Red and Nikon equip the student teams with professional-grade cameras and lenses, ensuring that the productions meet industry standards for visual quality. Furthermore, post-production support is meticulously integrated, with CineVantage offering mentorship in music composition and sound design, and Company 3 providing expert color grading services, elevating the aesthetic polish of each film.

Katie Pryor, the seasoned Program Manager for Coca-Cola Refreshing Films with nearly eight years of experience overseeing the initiative, expressed profound admiration for Full Sail University’s infrastructure and supportive educational ecosystem. "I think the facilities here at Full Sail are really, really mind-blowing," Pryor commented, highlighting the university’s cutting-edge resources. She further emphasized, "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 remarks underscore the strategic advantage Full Sail provides its students in such high-stakes competitions.

Deep Dive: What Makes Them Magic – A Fan Favorite Triumph

The Cinemark Fan Favorite award, decided by a nationwide audience vote, went to What Makes Them Magic, a heartfelt and evocative short film crafted by an undergraduate team from Full Sail University. The film was written and directed by Brandon Bishop and produced by Christina Almuina, both current students in Full Sail’s Film bachelor’s degree program. Their collaboration resulted in a narrative that beautifully explores the profound emotional impact of movies on individuals.

Set within the familiar confines of a movie theater, What Makes Them Magic artfully interweaves multiple vignettes, each depicting audience members whose lives are subtly but significantly touched by the stories unfolding on screen. Viewers witness a father envisioning his daughter’s future wedding, drawing inspiration from a cinematic moment; a recent graduate internalizing the confidence of a gladiator to face their own challenges; and old friends rekindling their connection through the shared, transformative experience of movie magic.

Bishop articulated the core philosophy behind their film: "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 perfectly encapsulates the film’s ability to resonate deeply with audiences, earning it the coveted Fan Favorite title.

The production of What Makes Them Magic leveraged Full Sail’s advanced facilities, including its impressive $3 million virtual production studio, Studio V1, which offered cutting-edge capabilities for visual storytelling. Additionally, the team utilized real-world locations such as AMC Altamonte Springs, made possible through the program’s strategic theater partnerships. The film’s crew was predominantly composed of students from Full Sail’s Film & Television programs, demonstrating the hands-on learning model prevalent at the university. This student talent was further augmented by crucial support from faculty across multiple departments, including 3D arts, virtual production, and audio, showcasing a truly interdisciplinary approach to filmmaking education. The collective effort and innovative use of technology clearly struck a chord with the national audience, cementing its status as the Cinemark Fan Favorite.

Deep Dive: Behind the Screens – Grand Prize Innovation

Securing the prestigious Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award was Behind the Screens, an ambitious and imaginative short film developed by Full Sail University’s graduate team. Written and directed by Film graduate Angel Quinapallo and produced by fellow Film graduate Kylie Shouse, the film offers a unique celebration of cinema’s rich evolution, viewed through the nostalgic and vibrant lens of Americana.

Behind the Screens posits a fantastical concept: a hidden world existing just beyond the projection screen, where the entire history of cinema is preserved and continuously reanimated to bring the magic of movies to life for audiences. This inventive premise allowed for a visually rich and narratively complex exploration of filmmaking itself.

Producer Kylie Shouse eloquently described the film’s essence: "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 collaborative efforts of dozens of Full Sail students, graduates, and faculty. The team undertook significant creative challenges, including the custom construction of a T-Rex tail and the meticulous costuming of numerous characters representing different eras of film history. This scale of production was made feasible by Full Sail’s extensive resources, including extensive use of Studio V1’s virtual production capabilities, which allowed for the creation of intricate and dynamic environments. Complementing the studio work, scenes were also shot at Cinemark Orlando and XD, benefiting from the program’s theater partnership and providing authentic cinematic backdrops. After months of intensive collaborative production, the graduate team’s final submission was recognized by the industry panel as the Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award winner, a testament to its innovative storytelling and high production value.

Celebrating Musical Excellence: Kevin Kraus’s Award-Winning Score

The comprehensive nature of Full Sail University’s sweep was further solidified by the recognition of its talent in music composition. Kevin Kraus, a distinguished Music Production graduate and current Full Sail Lab instructor, played a pivotal role in the success of Behind the Screens, earning the Best Music Composition Award for his evocative score. Kraus’s contribution was integral to the film’s atmosphere and narrative flow, enhancing its thematic depth and emotional resonance.

His award underscores the multidisciplinary strength of Full Sail, where creative disciplines converge to produce polished, professional-grade work. Kraus reflected on his achievement, 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." This sentiment reflects the passion and dedication infused into every aspect of the winning productions. The Best Music Composition award highlights the critical role of sound and music in filmmaking, acknowledging the expertise and artistry required to craft a score that elevates a visual narrative.

The Full Sail Advantage: Real-World Training and Collaborative Environment

One of the most compelling aspects of Full Sail University’s triumph in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program is the sheer scale of student and graduate involvement. Across both award-winning productions, approximately 80-90 percent of the crews were comprised of Full Sail University students and recent graduates. This staggering statistic underscores the university’s philosophy of providing intensive, hands-on experience on nationally recognized, branded productions.

This approach offers current students an unparalleled opportunity to work alongside peers, receive direct mentorship from faculty, and collaborate with seasoned industry professionals within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. The competition simulates a genuine industry workflow, forcing teams to navigate a myriad of professional challenges, from meticulous budgeting and securing insurance to managing complex casting processes, incorporating brand revisions, and obtaining final approvals. This rigorous exposure to real-world production demands equips students with practical skills and a professional acumen that is invaluable upon graduation.

The collaborative ecosystem at Full Sail is a key differentiator. Students from various programs, including Film & Television, Music Production, 3D Arts, and Virtual Production, come together, mirroring the interdisciplinary nature of actual film sets. This cross-departmental synergy not only enriches the learning experience but also prepares students for the collaborative dynamics of the entertainment industry. The success in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program is a powerful validation of Full Sail’s unique educational model, which prioritizes experiential learning and industry integration.

Broader Impact and Future Outlook

The sweep by Full Sail University in the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program carries significant implications, both for the institution and for the future careers of the students involved. For Full Sail, these accolades further cement its reputation as a premier institution for entertainment education, demonstrating its capacity to consistently produce top-tier talent and innovative content. Such high-profile wins attract prospective students and solidify partnerships with industry leaders, reinforcing the university’s position at the forefront of creative media education.

For the winning students—Brandon Bishop, Christina Almuina, Angel Quinapallo, Kylie Shouse, and Kevin Kraus—these awards are career-defining milestones. The theatrical distribution of their short films, coupled with the recognition from both industry panels and national audiences, provides an exceptional launchpad for their professional journeys. It offers tangible proof of their capabilities, invaluable networking opportunities, and a significant boost to their portfolios, making them highly attractive to prospective employers and collaborators. The experience of working on a branded content project for a global company like Coca-Cola also adds a unique dimension to their résumés, showcasing their ability to navigate commercial requirements while maintaining artistic integrity.

The Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program itself continues to serve as a vital incubator for talent, exemplifying the enduring value of industry-academic partnerships. In an evolving media landscape where branded content and diverse storytelling platforms are increasingly prevalent, programs like this offer a crucial bridge for students to gain relevant, cutting-edge experience. Full Sail University’s extraordinary success in 2026 underscores the transformative potential of such collaborations, shaping the next generation of filmmakers who are not only technically proficient but also adept at navigating the creative and commercial demands of the global entertainment industry. The triumphs of What Makes Them Magic and Behind the Screens are not just wins for Full Sail; they are a beacon for innovative film education and a testament to the boundless creativity of emerging talent.