For Christopher Whitford, filmmaking has been a passion since middle school. Now he's pursuing a degree in Media + Communications at TWU, where he's honing his technical skills and expanding his talent for storytelling.
“I have always been passionate about narrative filmmaking, particularly short films,” he says. “My biggest aspiration is to begin telling even bigger stories. My ultimate goal is to become a director in the film industry, directing movies for a larger audience."
Christopher and other aspiring filmmakers recently showcased their work at the annual TWU student film festival held on April 11, Cinergy 2023.
Cinergy has been highlighting the work of TWU students since the festival began in 2005.
Through participating in Cinergy, students experience the many facets of filmmaking, from directing and producing, to performance and screenwriting, to sound and editing, and more. They may encounter and overcome many challenges, before finally unveiling the fruits of their hard work before a live audience of students, alumni, staff, faculty, and festival judges.
Through participating in Cinergy, students experience the many facets of filmmaking, from directing and producing, to performance and screenwriting, to sound and editing, and more.
Christopher won Best Directing for his film Don't Let It In at this year’s Cinergy. The young director shares that, while filming, he had to overcome the constraints of time and resources.
“The major obstacle to making this short film was scheduling,” he recounts. “It was difficult to find times that worked for my actor as well as the [site] used. In the end, the film was shot over the course of two days at about a week apart.”
Along the way, he also picked up some new skills. “The biggest lesson I learned was the process of sound design, in which I had not had much experience prior. However, I believe that the sound design in this film is one of its greatest strengths, along with an excellent performance as well."
Fellow Media + Communications major David Witzke, who played a key role in organizing Cinergy 2023, comments on how impressed he was by the “depth and breadth of creativity” in this year's films.
“It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderfully creative and beautiful films my peers and friends produce every semester.”
“We had documentaries, we had dramas, we had horror, and everything else in between,” David describes. “It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderfully creative and beautiful films my peers and friends produce every semester.”
David credits the many people who helped to make Cinergy 2023 a success. “This festival was made possible by a whole host of wonderful people, which included student volunteers, staff members, and even a few alumni judges. It was a real community effort, and we simply couldn’t have done it without them!”
“We had a sterling film showcase. A bumper crop year of films from a variety of genres by up-and-coming filmmakers."
Among the faculty sponsors is Dr. Ned Vankevich, Associate Professor of Media + Communication, who teaches film studies. He describes Cinergy 2023 with enthusiasm, “We had a sterling film showcase. A bumper crop year of films from a variety of genres by up-and-coming filmmakers. The flame of creativity is burning bright.”
Professor Divine Agodzo, Media + Communication Department Chair, is also pleased with the students’ work. He knows that events like Cinergy 2023 provide valuable hands-on learning experiences:
"Media + Communications students have a fantastic opportunity to use their coursework to build a portfolio for the job market. Our Cinergy film festival—along with Vignettes (a literary performance night) and the STATIC student publication for those in the writing stream—are excellent ways to do this.”
He adds, “We hope to see more students take advantage of these great career-building courses, especially if you have professional aspirations in writing or film."
Cinergy 2023 winners
Congratulations to the winning films for Cinergy ‘23!
Best Picture: The Wish
Director, Producer, Writer: Cath de la Rambelje
Music: Daniel Hart
Starring: Carter McGill
Audience Favourite & Best Screenplay: Through the Window
Director, Producer, Sound: Tori Martinez
Producer, Visual Editor, Director of Photography: Gabriela Ling
Screenplay: Jaclyn Whitt
Starring: Sacha Mugisa, Ella Dam, Jack Derrenbacker
Best Directing: Christopher Whitford, for Don't Let It In
Starring: Ben Meadows, Scott Whitford, Christopher Whitford
Producer, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor, Sound, Music: Christopher Whitford
Assistant: Jay Lutz
Best Cinematography: Ghost Wedding
Producer, Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Sound: Lin Cao and Ganlu Zhu
Best Editing, Best Performance: Picasso
Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematographer: Sara Steven
Starring: Mia Hsu, Sebastian Cerani
Best Editing, Best Performance: Picasso
Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematographer: Sara Steven
Starring: Mia Hsu, Sebastian Cerani
About TWU’s Media + Communication program
TWU’s Media + Communication program empowers leaders and communicators to critique, speak into, and transform our culture in a powerful way. As a student of Media + Communication, you will have the opportunity to specialize in Media Studies, Professional Writing, or Leadership Communication, with minors available in Film Studies and Professional Writing. Learn more at TWU’s Media + Communication program.
About TWU's School of the Arts, Media, and Culture
Immerse yourself in what you love best, whether it’s visual or performing arts, media, or communication. Grow with others who are just as passionate and exceptional as you. That’s the beauty of learning in community. You’ll find your people here. Learn more at School of the Arts, Media, and Culture.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.