Left to right: Ana Vallejo (featured in the documentary and 3rd year creative writing student); Neha Iyer (filmmaker and 3rd year BFA student); Kailee Fawcett (filmmaker and 4th year BMS student).
UBC Okanagan students Kailee Fawcett and Neha Iyer were recognized for their hard work and creativity at the 2025 Okanagan Screen Awards, receiving second Place Overall and Best Story in the Short Documentary category for the documentary As Long As I’m Allowed.
While unveiling the financial exploitation done by post-secondary institutions, this film documents the experience of international students at UBCO, therefore urging reflection on systemic change and empathy in Canadian education.
Neha Iyer says that they felt that the documentary was becoming increasingly relevant and deserved a wider audience. “I had a strong feeling we might win, but with so many talented filmmakers, nothing felt certain. Hearing our names called on stage—not once, but twice—was exhilarating. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
As Long As I’m Allowed is a short documentary that explores the impact of Canada’s new International Student Cap through the voices of students directly affected by the policy. It aims to humanize both a provincial and federal issue and give space to those whose experiences are often left out of the conversation. The film challenges viewers to consider who gets to belong—and who gets left behind—within Canada’s education system.
“It felt surreal, inspiring, and incredibly exciting to be recognized among working filmmakers—something I never expected. Being acknowledged alongside professionals affirmed that I’m on the right path, and it’s given me even more drive to keep learning, growing, and reaching for more,” says Fawcett.
Kailee Fawcett, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Media Studies program says that Filmmaking is what initially inspired her to apply to the program because she has always loved storytelling and the emotional impact of film.
“Throughout the program, I also discovered a passion for animation and interactive media. Now I work across all three—film, animation, and interactivity— because I’m fascinated by how different forms can open up new ways of telling stories,” she adds.
At the Okanagan Screen Awards, Fawcett also received Best Animation for her stop motion/2D piece The Underbelly.
“It’s no surprise to me that Kailee is being recognized for her amazing work. Her work ethic is exceptional and her drive to be innovative is equal,” says visual arts instructor, Myron Campbell. “Specifically, I really appreciate her wish to bring in tactile textures into her animation work. The collage style she is employing really blurs the line between digital and analog. The result is quite exciting to experience.”
Fawcett says she was drawn to UBCO because of how interdisciplinary the BMS program is – combining critical thinking with hands-on creative practice across areas like film, animation, design, and interactive media.
“The small class sizes and strong sense of community here really drew me in—I wanted a place where I could experiment, grow, and collaborate, and this program offered all of that. It felt like a place where I could grow not just as an artist, but as a person.”
After graduation this spring, Fawcett says she is taking a bit of a break to rest and reflect—being a full-time student while working and volunteering has been non-stop. She says she wants to be intentional with my next steps, focusing on creative opportunities that align with her values.
“I plan to keep creating immersive, interactive work that brings together film, animation, performance, and storytelling. I’m especially excited about the idea of integrating performance into my art, while continuing to make documentaries that highlight local stories, and social and environmental issues.”
Fawcett says that she would love to travel, collaborate internationally, and take part in residencies that challenge and inspire her, and apply to master’s programs that allow her to continue growing as an artist and exploring new directions in her practice.
Neha Iyer is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, also doing a minor in Computer Science. Iyer says she chose the BFA program at UBCO for its vibrant creative community and the chance to pursue what she loves, all while experiencing a new city without being too far from her hometown of Surrey BC.
“Though I followed a full STEM track in high school with plans to become an architect or engineer, my true passion has always been in drawing and film,” Iyer says.
Throughout her degree so far, Iyer says she has had a number of professors that have had a strong impact on her, playing a key role in shaping her artistic direction.
“In an advanced painting class with Shawn Serfas, he encouraged me to incorporate my STEM and math background into my visual work, which completely shifted how I approach painting. Yujie Gao in advanced media arts, pushed me to explore more experimental forms of film, expanding the boundaries of my practice.”
In a Narrative Film class with Denise Kenney, Iyer says she was guided into taking on producer and designer role. “This is something I hadn’t considered before—which opened up a new side of storytelling for me.”
Iyer, explains that she chose to concentrate on filmmaking for its versatility. “It lets me visualize my thoughts in ways I wouldn’t normally consider. I love how it connects to other areas like animation and game design, making it a dynamic and expansive field to explore.”