Documentary film student earns accolades at Cannes World Film Festival
Syd Whalen, a student in Capilano University's documentary program has been making waves in the film industry with her deeply personal documentary, The Reflection.
From a young age, Whalen viewed the world as an array of stories waiting to be told. Despite a delayed start in speaking, she was a fierce observer of details, a trait she credits with helping shape her career in the arts. Drawing from her experiences in classical music, acting and makeup artistry, she found her ultimate calling in the realm of cinema—her favourite form of artistic expression.
Whalen’s decision to enroll in CapU’s documentary program was driven by a shared vision with faculty members she met at orientation.
“I immediately connected with their perspectives on filmmaking and the power of turning reality into a poetic experience,” she says.
The Reflection has garnered widespread acclaim, earning accolades from prestigious film festivals. Whalen won Best Female Director Super Short Film and was nominated for Best Student Film at the Cannes World Film Festival. For the filmmaker, the process of creating the documentary was not just about storytelling, but also a journey of personal healing and growth. Through revisiting past turmoil and vulnerabilities, she found beauty in the journey of survival and used her experiences as a tool for creative expression.
Whalen holding her Best Female Director Super Short Film award from Cannes World Film Festival.
“Our documentary student extraordinaire, Syd Whalen, is a craft filmmaker creating incredibly impactful films,” said Mary M. Frumire, instructor in the School of Motion Picture Arts. “Syd is inspired by the words of Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings ‘All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us’, and with her diverse skillset is inspirited to support mental health awareness and unite society’s differences through the power of filmmaking.”
Poster for Whalen’s documentary film The Reflection.
“The Reflection is a personal essay documentary that highlights my journey of self-discovery after a toxic relationship,” said Whalen. “During production days, I had to reenact vulnerable and personal moments that I had never been open about before. It was emotionally draining going back to that mentality I have worked hard to overcome. However, it was also empowering when I reminded myself that it’s no longer my truth—it’s only for the film.”
Looking ahead, the filmmaker plans to pursue further studies at CapU and earn a bachelor of motion picture arts degree to solidify her foundation in filmmaking. In the meantime, she seeks to gain practical experience through internships in post-production, preparing herself for a lifelong career in the cinematic arts.
Submitted by: Communications