Full Sail University Dominates 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films: A New Benchmark for Student Filmmaking

In a historic display of technical prowess and creative storytelling, students and graduates from Full Sail University have effectively swept the 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. By securing both the prestigious Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award and the Cinemark Fan Favorite title, the university has cemented its status as a powerhouse in the landscape of branded content and emerging cinematic talent.

The achievement is not merely a collection of accolades; it represents the culmination of a rigorous, semester-long professional workflow that saw student filmmakers navigating the complexities of industry-standard production, brand collaboration, and high-stakes theatrical distribution.

The 2026 Coca-Cola Refreshing Films: A Competition Defined

Since its inception in 1998, the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program has served as a vital bridge between academia and the professional film industry. The program challenges students and recent graduates from participating universities to submit original scripts that embody the "magic" of the moviegoing experience—specifically highlighting the role Coca-Cola plays in that narrative.

Unlike typical student competitions, this program functions as a professional incubator. The final phase involves only a handful of selected scripts, which are then produced into full-fledged short films with the backing of major industry partners. This year, the competition was fierce, with Full Sail teams claiming two of the three final slots, ultimately walking away with the most significant awards of the evening.

Chronology of a Sweep: From Script to Screen

The journey to these awards was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. The process began with the submission of original scripts, which were vetted by industry experts. Once selected, the teams entered a production phase that spanned several months, mirroring the professional demands of a studio feature.

• Pre-Production: Students managed everything from budgeting and insurance to complex casting calls and brand approval processes. This phase taught the teams how to balance creative vision with the rigid requirements of a global corporate brand.
• Production: Filming took place across both physical locations—including AMC and Cinemark theaters—and Full Sail’s state-of-the-art $3 million virtual production studio, Studio V1.
• Post-Production: The teams utilized professional-grade color grading provided by Company 3 and engaged in sound design and musical composition mentorship through CineVantage.
• The Reveal: The final films were screened nationally, leading to the eventual announcement of the Grand Prize winner and the audience-voted Fan Favorite.

The Winning Projects: What Makes Them Magic and Behind the Screens

Two distinct projects captured the imagination of both the judges and the public, showcasing the versatility of the Full Sail film department.

What Makes Them Magic: The Cinemark Fan Favorite

Directed by Brandon Bishop and produced by Christina Almuina, What Makes Them Magic focuses on the emotional resonance of the cinema experience. The short film follows an ensemble cast of audience members whose lives are fundamentally altered by the films they watch. From a father projecting his hopes for his daughter’s future to a graduate finding strength in the imagery of a gladiator, the film explores the transformative power of storytelling.

"One of the only art forms where you spend two hours in a room and walk out with a fundamental life change is a movie," explains Bishop. "Capturing that—the idea that you see something on screen that changes your trajectory—is inherently magical."

Behind the Screens: The Grand Prize Winner

Written and directed by Angel Quinapallo and produced by Kylie Shouse, Behind the Screens took a more conceptual, high-energy approach. The film posits a secret, bustling world hidden behind the theater screen, where the history of cinema is preserved and animated by a legion of magical workers.

The project was a massive undertaking, requiring the creation of custom costumes—including a practical T-Rex tail—and the coordination of dozens of actors. The ambition of the project was matched by its technical execution, earning the team the Red Ribbon Panel Grand Prize Award. Additionally, the film’s score, composed by Music Production graduate Kevin Kraus, was recognized with the Best Music Composition Award.

Technical Infrastructure and Industry Support

The success of these films was not an isolated incident of talent; it was a testament to the robust support system provided by Full Sail University. Katie Pryor, the Program Manager for Coca-Cola Refreshing Films, has observed the university’s output for nearly a decade and notes that their facilities are unparalleled.

"The resources and opportunities that Full Sail provides to their students are phenomenal," Pryor remarked. "This program is a unique opportunity for students to gain branded filmmaking experience while still having the safety net and the support of the school’s faculty and infrastructure."

The program relies on a network of industry giants. Technical partners such as Red and Nikon provided cinema-grade cameras and lenses, ensuring that the student films carried the visual fidelity of professional Hollywood productions. Furthermore, by filming in Studio V1, students were able to employ cutting-edge virtual production techniques—the same technology currently revolutionizing major studio motion pictures—to bring their worlds to life.

Official Responses and Reflections

For the student winners, the experience was a transformative bridge to their future careers. For Kevin Kraus, who won Best Music Composition, the award represents years of preparation. "It’s incredibly gratifying to get an award for something I’ve put so much time and work into," Kraus said. "This whole project has been an absolute labor of love."

Kylie Shouse, producer of the Grand Prize-winning Behind the Screens, highlighted how the project mimicked the chaos and beauty of the professional world. "This script crackles with energy and captures the creativity and controlled chaos that happens behind the scenes," she noted. "It mirrors all the work we as students experience to create these 60 seconds of branded content."

Implications for Student Filmmaking

The dominance of Full Sail University in this year’s competition signals a broader shift in how film education is being conducted. By moving away from purely academic exercises and toward high-pressure, brand-partnered production, the university is preparing its graduates for the realities of the modern media landscape.

1. Bridging the Skills Gap

The ability to navigate brand guidelines while maintaining creative integrity is a rare skill set. Graduates who have participated in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program are now equipped to walk into professional advertising or production firms and immediately contribute at a high level.

2. Networking and Exposure

Through theatrical distribution support from AMC, B&B, and Cinemark, these students have seen their work on the big screen in front of actual paying audiences. This level of exposure is rare for undergraduate and even graduate-level filmmakers, providing them with a "calling card" that is far more impactful than a standard demo reel.

3. The Future of Virtual Production

The heavy use of Studio V1 in both winning projects underscores the importance of virtual production in the current industry. As Hollywood continues to move toward real-time rendering and LED volume sets, students who are trained in these environments during their degree programs will be at the forefront of the next wave of hiring.

A Legacy of Collaboration

The 2026 sweep was not achieved by a small group of specialists, but by a university-wide effort. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the production crews were comprised of Full Sail students and graduates. This interdisciplinary approach—bringing in students from 3D arts, virtual production, audio, and film—mirrors the collaborative nature of a real-world film set.

As the industry continues to evolve, programs like Coca-Cola Refreshing Films, supported by institutions like Full Sail, will remain essential. They do not just produce films; they produce professionals who understand the intersection of technology, storytelling, and commerce. With these wins, the next generation of filmmakers has proven that they are not just ready to learn—they are ready to lead.