BY J.M.LEE
For many young people, film often means a night at the movies or sharing a funny video online. But for Grade 12 students and brothers Rohan and Jaiden Gill, it has become something much more meaningful: a way to educate, advocate, and inspire change in their community and society at large.
Since Grade 10, the twin brothers have paired their passion for filmmaking with a wish to help others. At Mulgrave Independent School, the teachers promoting elucidative thought discussed how creativity sparks social change. Inspired, the Gills found a unique sense of purpose: telling stories of relevant matters.
“We realized how film could make complex issues relatable. When someone watches a story unfold on screen they connect to it on a personal level.”
That mindset led the brothers to co-found VISTORI (www.vistori.ca). This enables missions to resonate more broadly. Through VISTORI, the Gills donate hours of writing, shooting, editing, and distributing short films whose thrust is to raise awareness of and promote subjects ranging from health awareness to cultural celebration. Their volunteer work has reached audiences in British Columbia and continues to grow.
Film – A Medium for Change; A Story That Sparked a Movement
Their journey started with a story that moved and inspired them. When they first heard the story of Logan Boulet, 21-year-old Humboldt Broncos hockey player who famously donated his organs after a tragic bus crash, it moved them personally as student athletes. Logan inspired them unequivocally, so they shared his story with their peers and raised awareness of organ donation.
The brothers contacted Logan’s father, Mr. Toby Boulet, and had the chance to interview him for a short documentary. That film became the highlight of Mulgrave’s first organ donation awareness event. The response was overwhelming—students and teachers were touched, and the event has since become an annual tradition led by the Gill brothers.
“That was when we realized how powerful storytelling can be,” says Rohan. “We had many of our friends wanting to volunteer and help us with this, and it dawned on us how our school colleagues truly connect, become more informed, and get more interested in getting involved.”
Their film helped clarify a topic that is often misunderstood and emotionally complex. In doing so, the Gills demonstrated that youth voices can lead meaningful conversations.
Inspired by the success of this initiative, they expanded their volunteer efforts to include healthcare storytelling, as well as promotional materials for health organizations such as the Canadian Society of Medical Oncologists and the Canadian Society of Transplantation.
Empowering Culture
As third-generation Canadians, Jaiden and Rohan understand the importance of preserving and celebrating their cultural identities. They partnered with Dr. Reetinder Kaur at Simon Fraser University to create a promotional video showcasing the SFU Punjabi language program, featuring interviews with students about what inspired them to learn Punjabi and the language’s significance today.
The project was widely embraced— shared on the SFU Faculty of Social Sciences’ official YouTube channel, and the Department of World Languages and Literatures’ official Instagram channel, covered by community news outlets, and showcased at the Punjabi Language Education Association’s 20th International Mother Language Day celebration earlier this year. The brothers also collaborated with Dr. Kaur to create media supporting Rooted and Rising, an initiative honoring Canadian Punjabi women and their stories.
“I think that representation matters,” says Jaiden. “We want people to recognize their heritage reflected accurately and with pride on screen.”
Whether focusing on education, inspiring stories, or community outreach, the brothers are committed to making every film pulsate with a personal connection with their audience. They believe that when people understand each other’s experiences, compassion grows, and that leads to change.
ROHAN AND JAIDEN’S work highlights the transformative power of youth leadership, mainly when driven by empathy, culture, and creativity. They amplify stories that are often overlooked and strive to build a more informed and inclusive society.
For these twin siblings, storytelling isn’t just art. It’s a service; an advocacy; a bridge linking people through the power of shared humanity. In their own way, the Gill brothers are not just supporting change—they’re leading it.
