TWU’s 21st Annual “Cinergy” Film Festival Awards

Aspiring Hollywood filmmakers showcase their work at Trinity Western University’s 21^st Annual “Cinergy” Film Festival, Trinity’s own “Academy Awards.” Twelve films ranging in length from three minutes to twelve minutes delighted the audience, filled with writers, directors, editors, cinematographers, crew, and fans who came to cheer on their favourite film. The Cinergy Film festival, created in 2004 by Trinity professor, Dr. Ned Vankevich, after years working in the Hollywood film industry, told the audience, “This was a good year for our films and I’m proud of our students for their outstanding work. Film is a powerful way to tell the story of God’s love, hope, and redemption for our fallen nature.”

Fourth year film student, Jaden Bird, winner of Cinergy’s Best Picture and Best Director for his film, The Worst She Can Say is No noted, “The thing I love most about filmmaking is being able to tell a story that resonates with people. So many people reached out to tell me how much they could relate to the film – and that makes me really happy. I’m grateful.”

Tori Martinez, fourth year communication and media arts student from Chihuaha, Mexico, and winner of Cinergy’s Best Screenplay award for her film, Sweet as Death said “I love telling stories that have a redeeming or hopeful ending, because no matter how dark things get, I want people to walk away from the story, whether it be film or written, feeling like maybe life can be just a little bit brighter.”

Andrew Roidgare, from Terrace, BC, and winner of the Cinergy Audience Favourite Film Award for his film, Falling Awake noted, “Film allows me to tell stories that words by themselves can’t carry; stories that you don’t just hear, but feel. It’s where emotion, visuals, and sound collide to create something real.”

Stephen Plitt, a Vancouver-based filmmaker and one of the Cinergy judges noted, “I was impressed with the quality of the films and appreciated the excellent storytelling.”

Dr. David Squires, Dean of the TWU School of Arts, Media and Culture, surprised Vankevich with an award of appreciation, a “GOAT” trophy for “the Greatest of All Time” – to thank him for his creating the Cinergy Film Festival 21 years ago, and for his 26 years of teaching film and communication at Trinity Western University. Vankevich added, “It has been a privilege to give birth to such creative filmmakers. It’s personal life craft – growing spiritually and emotionally and I’m grateful to the students who have allowed me to breathe into their life.” 

Cinergy Awards Winners:

Best Picture – Jaden Bird The Worst She Can Say is No (produced, directed, written, filmed, and edited by Jaden Rogers)

Best Director – Jaden Bird The Worst She Can Say is No

Best Screenplay – Sweet as Death Tori Martinez

Best Actress – Mia Hsu for Lifeline

Best Actor – Justin Stilwell for Sweet as Death

Best Cinematography – Void written, directed, produced, edited, and shot by Andrew Roidgare.

Best Editing – Falling Awake written, directed, edited, shot, and produced by Andrew Roidgare

Best Visual Design – Not at All written, directed, edited, and produced by Zoe Towne

Best Music and Sound Design – Sweet as Death written and directed by Tori Martinez, music by Grey Zander

And Audience Favourite went to Falling Awake, produced, written, directed, shot, and edited by Andrew Roidgare.

For more information on Trinity Western’s School of Arts, Media, and Culture call 604-888-7511

Videos:

1. Intro to the 2025 Cinergy Film Festival Awards
https://youtu.be/cMqvisWTFPo

2. Cinergy Award Winners
https://youtu.be/3BHrtyxlSyI

3. Dr. Ned Vankevich receives “Greatest Of All Time” Film Professor Award from the Dean, Dr, David Squires  (Ned is a big Tom Brady fan!)
https://youtu.be/cMqvisWTFPo