The Florida Magazine Association (FMA) has announced the finalists for the 2026 Charlie Awards, recognizing excellence across the state's magazine industry. The Boca Raton Observer, which took home Best Overall Magazine in 2025, is once again in the running for the top honor.
“This is the seventh time we are nominated for Best Overall Magazine. We have earned the Charlie five times,” Publisher Linda Behmoiras says. “We are humbled and beyond grateful to have been nominated for 21 awards from the prestigious FMA, our highest amount ever.”
Alongside this distinction, the magazine earned finalist nominations across a range of categories, including writing, design and digital:
- Best Writing: Feature
- Best Writing: Department
- Best Writing: Feature Headlines
- Best Design: Use of Photography
- Best Design: Typography
- Best Design: Department
- Best Design: Cover
- Best Design: Feature
- Best Digital: Magazine Website
- Best Special Theme or Show Issue
- Best Overall: Writing
- Best Overall: Magazine
“Being recognized across writing, design, digital and overall excellence speaks to the consistency and care our team brings to every issue. The Boca Raton Observer is truly a labor of love,” Behmoiras says.
With multiple finalist placements in several categories, The Boca Raton Observer garnered 21 total finalist recognitions, further solidifying its standing among Florida's most awarded lifestyle magazines.
“These finalist honors reflect a shared commitment to thoughtful storytelling and a deep ‘hands-on’ connection to the Boca Raton community,” Behmoiras says. “It is incredibly rewarding to see that work appreciated at the state and professional level.”
Charlie Award winners will be announced on June 5 at the 2026 Florida Media Conference in Orlando.