BFTV graduate directs vignette featuring Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee Dr. Samantha Nutt

2025 Honours Bachelor of Film and Television (BFTV) graduate Laila Vaga explores the legacy of award-winning humanitarian Dr. Samantha Nutt and the impact of war in a vignette that premiered this month on the Canada’s Walk of Fame's website.

In the short film, Dr. Nutt reflects on her first experience in a war zone and how it led her to found War Child Canada and War Child USA, international organizations that advocate for children and families in war-torn areas around the world.

Vaga was selected to direct the vignette through the Canada's Walk of Fame Future Storytellers program, an initiative designed to highlight the potential of young directors while providing them with resources and support they need to bring their visions to life. Dr. Nutt was inducted into the Canada's Walk of Fame's Humanitarianism category earlier this year.

"Interviewing Samantha Nutt was an incredibly insightful, emotional and deeply moving experience for me. She is someone who has made a profound difference in the world and brings hope for the future," says Vaga, adding that her mission as a filmmaker and storyteller is to create work that gives a voice to those who don't have one.

"Her lessons on idealism and resilience strongly align with the values I hope to reflect in my own creative work as I continue my journey as a director. Samantha's words and outlook inspired me to remain optimistic about the world and to continue striving to make a positive impact through storytelling."

Sheridan BFTV graduates have directed vignettes to honour Canada’s Walk of Fame inductees in each of the past four years, including Violet Ferguson (BFTV '23) and other talented alumni. Learn how Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Film and Television degree opens doors to a wide range of careers in storytelling, including director, editor, screenwriter, cinematographer and sound designer.