The 2025 BC Student Film Festival, held at Simon Fraser University’s Gastown campus, brought together the province’s most promising young filmmakers as they celebrated excellence in student film across 14 different genres and craft categories.
Schools from across B.C. were represented with dozens of talented nominees in attendance — among them were two students from Queen Margaret's School; Charlotte Irving (Grade 8) who was nominated for Best Writing in the Junior Category, this nod followed her recent second-place win in the 2025 MC Youth Visual Poetry Competition & Film Festival.
The other was senior filmmaker Jason Cheng (Grade 12), who entered the evening with six nominations, including Best Documentary which was one of the most anticipated categories. The three-hour gala kept audience members on the edge of their seats, and, facing a lot of stiff competition, it was revealed that Cheng won for his powerful short documentary S-hwuhwa'us & Qul-lhanumutsun: Thunderbird & Killer Whale.
"It was surreal to be recognized at the BC Student Film Festival," said Cheng. "These were wins for Quw'utsun, and our beautiful island."
Named 'Best Documentary' of 2025, Cheng's film follows renowned Indigenous artist, John Qap’u’luq Marston, on his journey to rediscover and revive the near-lost art of whole-log canoe carving, a traditional Coast Salish practice. Marston’s harbour canoe depicts the Quw’utsun legend of the Thunderbird (Shwuhwa’us) and the Killer Whale (Qul-lhanumutsun).
“I am deeply grateful to John, and his family for their generosity with their time and space,” said Cheng. “It allowed me to delve deeply into the craft of canoe making and uncover the rich Coast Salish history embodied in John’s work.”
Throughout the evening Cheng continued to be recognized for his own craft and work with four more remarkable awards including: The Bryn Hutchinson Award for Best Exploration of the Natural World, The Dawn Tomlinson Trophy for Award of Excellence, the Most Promising Senior Filmmaker Award, and the evening’s highest honour Best Overall Film (senior). Cheng says that that this film would have not been possible without the guidance from teachers Tim Sailor, and QMS Head of Arts, Neil Trafford.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have such supportive teachers," said Cheng. "I was thrilled that the film stood out to the adjudicators. The lineup was especially strong this year, and it was an absolute honour to receive these accolades."
“We know Jason has a great future ahead of him and everyone at QMS is incredibly proud of his work,” said Trafford. “Our hope is that he continues to be brave, curious, and kind as he sets out to make his mark on the world.”
Cheng has already started making his mark on the world as S-hwuhwa'us & Qul-lhanumutsun: Thunderbird & Killer Whale tours the international festival circuit screening at more than two dozen festivals worldwide including; the Calgary International Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize for Editing, the San Francisco International Film Festival, the Indy Shorts International and Film Festival, as well as the deadCenter Film Festival which took place in Oklahoma City earlier this month.
In April, Cheng's film was also selected by the prestigious National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), and recognized at the Barrie Film Festival as the 'Best High School Film' and nominated for the 'Representation Through Storytelling Award' at NYC’s All American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF). This was not Cheng's first film, and he says it certainly won't be his last as he looks to further pursue his love for film in university.
"It has been a tremendous honour to have the film screened at major international festivals, such as Calgary, San Francisco, and Indy Shorts, said Cheng.
"I remember being down in LA for the film’s premiere at Film Independent, and everyone in the audience was astonished by John’s artisanship, and of course, the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. It’s not every day that the audience gets to see the birth of a Coast Salish canoe. I hope viewers can come away with a deeper appreciation for Coast Salish art, and for the natural world."
“We are incredibly proud of Jason, and all that he has accomplished,” said QMS head of school, David Robertson. “His work showcases not only exceptional storytelling, and technical skill, but a deep respect for culture, tradition and the natural world.”
The film’s festival tour has opened up many networking opportunities for Cheng, giving him the opportunity to attend the National Film Festival for Talented Youth the premier international festival for under-24 films. Cheng said this experience was especially rewarding, as it was geared towards university-level filmmakers.
"I’ve gained lots of insights from those further along the path I hope to follow, "said Cheng. "I had the privilege to attend various filmmaker mixers and events at NFFTY and was able to foster many new connections. Breaking into the film industry does seems daunting, but I’m excited to give it my all and see where the journey takes me."
