Three emerging filmmakers from Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) -- Luke Cloarec, Emma Ljunggren and Brendan Shaw -- have continued the institution's winning streak by taking home an Alberta film association award, the Fil Fraser Best Student Production award, for their short film Specular.
Left to right : Luke Cloarec, Emma Ljunggren and Brendan Shaw
The honour was presented by the Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) at the organization's 51st Rosie Awards in Edmonton on October 25.
"It was an incredible opportunity to be recognized and to continue building valuable industry connections," says Cloarec. "I'm so proud of everyone involved in the project, and grateful for the chance to show the Alberta film community what RDP students are capable of achieving."
This marks the third consecutive year that students from RDP's Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film Production program have earned top recognition with AMPIA. The achievement underscores the program's reputation for cultivating industry-ready talent.
"I want to congratulate Luke, Emma and Brendan on winning a Rosie Award," says Dr. Robbie Halonen, Dean, School of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic. "This honour not only reflects the talent and dedication of these students, but also the expertise of their RDP instructors who help prepare students to make an impact in their fields and communities."
At the heart of their award-winning film is a chilling premise that resonates with today's digital age. Specular opens in the glow of a sleepless night, where a young man's search for rest spirals into a digital nightmare. The film blends psychological horror with a haunting reflection on society's growing dependence on technology.
"Specular is a psychological horror about a young man, Dylan, who struggles to sleep due to his phone addiction," says Ljunggren. "One night, he searches YouTube for sleep meditations, hoping they'll help, but instead finds a sinister one with life-threatening effects. The theme of technology consuming us speaks to both adults and teens, making the film especially relevant and terrifying."
More than just a frightening experience, Specular invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with technology. It challenges audiences to confront the cost of constant connection and the erosion of everyday experiences.
"It's my hope that the themes of anti-technology dependence and the dangers of tech addiction are clear to viewers," says Shaw. "People are so caught up in their phones and doomscrolling these days that real experiences are missed, even the mundanity of everyday life. It's important to be bored sometimes -- that's where our best ideas come from. And if nothing else, I hope viewers can feel the passion behind our short film."
With its continued success being recognized by AMPIA at the Rosies, RDP's Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film Production program continues to provide a valuable launchpad for creative voices ready to shape the future of storytelling. Through hands-on learning, mentorship and industry engagement, the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film Production offers students the tools to turn bold ideas into powerful cinematic experiences.
