Abbotsford student takes home top documentary film award in TWU contest<\/p>\n
Published 3:50 pm Wednesday, September 16, 2026<\/p>\n
Among all the potential Steven Spielbergs and Greta Gerwigs in B.C. high schools, one Abbotsford student is being celebrated above them all as part of a Trinity Western University (TWU) competition.<\/p>\n
The Frame It Forward contest challenges Grade 11 and 12 students to create short films centred around that year\u2019s theme.<\/p>\n
For the 2026 competition, the theme was \u201ccreating positive change\u201d and asked the young filmmakers to demonstrate stories of how creativity and compassion are being used to benefit the world.<\/p>\n
One of the students who rose to this challenge was Ben Torio of MEI Secondary.<\/p>\n
The Grade 12 student created his short documentary, Peace \u2013 Now in Technicolor, which explored the work being done by the team at Fraser Valley Gleaners Society.<\/p>\n
This non-profit gathers, dehydrates, and packages fresh and frozen local produce before it\u2019s shipped to hungry communities around the world.<\/p>\n
As part of the five-minute film, Torio interviewed Fraser Valley Gleaners Society administration assistant Melissa Pelletier, as well as several of the local volunteers.<\/p>\n
Torio said Peace \u2013 Now in Technicolor helps spread an important message.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe meaning behind it, at least the title, is that peace is not black or white, but it\u2019s available to all colours, cultures, and people,\u201d said Torio.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes in many forms.\u201d<\/p>\n
The judges of the Frame It Forward competition appeared to agree with the importance of the film, giving it first place.<\/p>\n
For winning the top spot, Torio was also given a $1,000 prize.<\/p>\n
Kevin Schut, dean of TWU\u2019s School of the Arts, Media, and Culture, said hosting such a contest is even more important nowadays given the state of film and media in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a world flooding with meaningless AI slop, we have a deep need for talented creators who can construct meaningful narratives that make a difference in the world,\u201d said Schut.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen\u2019s short film is a great example of how creativity can inspire people to bless the world the way God intended us to.\u201d<\/p>\n