Canadore alumni film named finalist in CTV Best in Shorts competition
Student capstone project Junk screened at Cinéfest Sudbury
A short film that began as a third-year project in Canadore College’s Digital Cinematography program was named a finalist in the 2026 CTV Best in Shorts competition and screened at the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival on September 26.
Junk, created by a team made up primarily of Canadore graduates, was initially produced as a sixth-semester Creator Project, a capstone experience that gives Digital Cinematography students creative control over an independent production. Modelled in part on the Ontario Arts Council grant process, students pitch their concepts, develop production plans, and assemble teams while applying the technical and creative skills gained throughout the three-year program.
“Creating the first stage of Junk in our final semester felt like a true culmination of everything we had learned and the working relationships we had built over those three years,” said Jared Dorcas, the film’s director and co-writer. “We were able to bring together our favourite crew members in the roles where they were strongest and work as a highly efficient team.”
After gaining professional experience in the industry, members of the team returned to the original project and completed a new version of the film.
“The fact that we could take a rough draft that started as a student project, enter the industry, work for a few years, and then return to finish it says a lot about the foundation the Digital Cinematography program gives aspiring filmmakers,” Dorcas said. “The original version was produced at such a technically sound level that we had everything we needed to rework it and create a film that could be recognized alongside the other outstanding shorts nominated at Cinéfest Sudbury.”
The Creator Project is designed to reflect the realities of professional filmmaking. Students have access to industry-standard equipment, production facilities, and faculty mentorship while being encouraged to experiment, solve problems, and take creative risks.
“One of the most important things we learned was how being open and willing to adapt creatively can benefit a film,” Dorcas said. “One of the film’s most powerful scenes was not in the original script. It emerged while we were on set and was possible because the team was prepared to follow the creative process. That kind of learning comes through hands-on experience.”
Farhan Niloy, the film’s director of photography and a producer, said the project gave the team the space and resources to test ambitious ideas while developing trust among its members.
“The best advice I can give to students looking to build a career in film is that you do not simply earn a degree and then have a career,” Niloy said. “You have to work for it, show your passion, and know what you want.”
Junk was written by Noah Fay and Jared Dorcas, directed by Dorcas, and produced by Farhan Niloy and Jackson Brotherton. Niloy served as director of photography, and Brotherton edited the film. Its cast and production crew are made up almost entirely of graduates of Canadore’s Digital Cinematography program, with additional contributions from Recording Engineering – Music Production graduates and current Canadore faculty.
The film’s selection as a CTV Best in Shorts finalist demonstrates how applied learning, access to professional technology, and creative collaboration can help students produce work that continues to evolve beyond graduation.
Aspiring filmmakers ready to turn their ideas into industry-ready productions can learn more about Canadore College’s Digital Cinematography program and apply today at canadorecollege.ca/programs/digital-cinematography.
