2026 CapU Alumni Awards: Gordon Inglis

From exploring Vancouver’s streets with a camera to experimenting with new technologies, Gordon has spent his career helping audiences see familiar places and pressing social issues through a fresh lens.

Early career and foundations

Gordon Inglis’s journey into community media began with a desire to show the city through new eyes. He co-founded Around the Bend Productions and created the CBC series Cycle! where he explored stories about communities, culture and the people shaping Vancouver.

“I was drawn to telling stories about the city and the people who make it come alive,” he said. “At CBC, I learned how to bring ideas to life on screen and how even small-scale projects can have a big impact. It taught me that creativity thrives not despite limits, but because of them.”

Building Metro Vancouver’s multimedia vision

In 2010, Gordon brought his expertise to Metro Vancouver (then the GVRD), where he was invited to develop an in-house multimedia service.

What started as a small team producing civic videos grew into a full division encompassing video production, event production, web development, graphic design, print and VR/XR applications.

“Early on, there was skepticism about what we could do,” he said. “But once staff saw the impact of our projects, demand grew. Now our team works on dozens of projects across the region, helping people connect with their city in meaningful ways.”

Stories that make a difference

Gordon has produced films on waste reduction, water stewardship, climate resilience and more. He recalls Made in Vancouver, a low-budget, on-the-ground look at the Downtown Eastside drug crisis, as particularly meaningful.

“It was important to me that people affected by the crisis could tell their stories on their own terms,” he said. “That project reminded me that media isn’t just about information—it’s about giving voice to communities and creating understanding.”

He’s also been deeply involved in documenting Indigenous renaming ceremonies, including the reclamation of təmtəmíxʷtən Regional Park.

“Reconciliation starts with acknowledgement,” he said. “Capturing moments like the park renaming was a great honour and a chance to show respect for long histories and living cultures.”

Creative collaboration in unexpected places

One career highlight was working on the Juno Award-winning project Immersion with composer Jordan Nobles inside a decommissioned water tank.

The project required navigating engineering and safety challenges while showcasing the unseen infrastructure that keeps the city running.

“It was incredible to combine art and civic infrastructure,” Gordon said. “We wanted people to see these structures not as mundane utilities, but as part of the living city that surrounds them. It was a reminder that creativity and public service can come together in surprising ways.”

Education that shaped a leader

Reflecting on his time at CapU, Gordon credits the breadth of his studies with preparing him to lead multidisciplinary teams.

“CapU gave me a foundation across many disciplines,” he said. “It helped me communicate effectively with artists, technicians, and administrators alike and encouraged a DIY, community-driven approach that continues to influence my work today.”

Looking ahead

For Gordon, storytelling is as much about the future as it is about the present. He is focused on ensuring marginalized voices are heard despite the challenges of corporate, algorithm-driven media platforms.

“Distribution is the biggest challenge today,” he said. “The stories remain the same, but we need systems that allow real human communication to reach audiences. That is where the next frontier of community media lies.”

On March 4, 2026, Capilano University will honour Gordon with the Relevant Award at the Alumni Awards of Excellence, recognizing him as a leader in community media and storytelling.