FSU Film School has won a total of 6 "Student Oscars" from the Academy of Motion Picture and placed as a regional finalist 10 times (4 times in the year 2003 alone). Two student titles have gone on to win top awards in festivals that qualified them for entry into the non-student Oscars.

The Student Academy Awards is a national competition conducted by the Academy and the Academy Foundation. Each year over 300 college and university film students from all over the United States compete for awards and cash grants, with films being judged in four categories: animation, documentary, narrative and alternative.

An outstanding student filmmaker from outside the U.S. is honored each year as well. The presentation ceremony is a popular event that is annually attended by a capacity audience in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Through the Student Academy Awards, the Academy recognizes and encourages this country's most promising new filmmakers. Past winners include Spike Lee, Gary Nadeau, Bob Saget, Trey Parker and Oscar winners John Lasseter and Robert Zemeckis.