Jupiter big screen legend Burt Reynolds ventured south this morning to distill some of his hard-earned wisdom to local students who won the Palm Beach International Film Festival’s student showcase.

Every year the festival, which ended Monday, rewards two college and high schoolers who produce their own films with $5,000-grants, a prize aptly named Burt Reynolds Scholarship. It was the first time in 14 years that Reynolds was able to attend and hand winners Savannah Winchester, who goes to West Palm Beach’s Dreyfoos School for the Arts, and Kristen Harding, of Spanish River High in Boca, their dough. 

Burt Reynolds with scholarship winner Savannah Winchester of Dreyfoos School for the Arts Tuesday at PBCC (by Gary Coronado)

“We just got lucky he was in town,” said Palm Beach County Film Commish Chuck Eldred. 

Speaking in a hushed tone, Reynolds told the students gathered at Palm Beach Community College that the great Spencer Tracy once told him: ”Never let anybody catch you acting, always look natural!”

Festival chair Yvonne Boice managed to ambush the 73-year-old star of Boogie Nights and The Longest Yard, and made him swear, cross his heart, that he’ll be one of the celebrity guests at next year’s festival.

Burt Reynolds with showcase winner Kristen Harding of Spanish River High School (Photo by Gary Coronado)