Lee County Student film and television award winners announced

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)— Students from 24 schools across Lee County were honored at the 2026 Lee County Student Film and Television Awards on Tuesday, April 28.

The red-carpet event at South Fort Myers High School celebrated student achievement in film and video, made possible by a grant from Suncoast Credit Union. More than 150 entries were submitted by hundreds of students, with awards presented in 13 categories across elementary, middle, and high school divisions.

Tortuga Preserve Elementary won Best in Show for elementary school with its news show entry. Cypress Lake Middle School took the middle school Best in Show award for its music video "Kung Fu Fighting." Dunbar High School's PSA "Digital Danger Protocol" earned Best in Show for high school.

Gateway High School received the Lee Schools TV Choice Award for its short film "Clue-Less."

Winners spanned categories including animation, comedy, documentary, instructional video, music video, news show, PSA, short film, and sports. Oak Hammock Middle School dominated the middle school division, winning seven categories. Bonita Springs High School led the high school division with five category wins.

Elementary school winners included The Sanibel School for instructional video and music video, while Tortuga Preserve Elementary also won the animation category. North Fort Myers High School claimed victories in comedy, instructional video, promo video, and short film categories.

The event recognized the students and teachers who created the projects, the families who supported them, and the judges who evaluated the work.