From Noel Shore to the Newsroom
by Angela Sanford
Having taught thousands of students over more than 30 years, each one becoming, in some small way, “my kid,” my family has grown quite large—and sometimes challenging to keep up with. That, however, has never diminished my interest in where they go, what they do, and the stories that unfold along the way.
Whenever I have the opportunity to reconnect with one of my former students, I’m happy to hear about their families, career paths, adventures around the world, and everything in between. My kids have gone on to accomplish some pretty amazing things. Recently, one of them shared a momentous occasion that deserved a deeper look.
Neil Benedict, who grew up in East Noel, was a student of mine at HNRH and a member of our drama club, which performed locally and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010.
I’d like to think that experience sparked his interest in the film industry, but Neil gives much of the credit to his time at NSCC. Whatever set him on that path, Neil is now building an impressive career in the industry—and receiving recognition for his work along the way.
Neil has faced challenges since birth, including living with a kidney that did not function fully. Between high school and being hired by Global News, he required a kidney transplant. His father, Tim, became his living donor, and at just 19, Neil himself became the subject of a feature story on Global News.
Only in hindsight can we appreciate the irony that Neil would eventually find himself drawn to that very style of storytelling.
While recovering from his transplant, Neil received a call from a friend for two reasons: to check in, as good friends do, and to tell him about a short-term opportunity with Global News. Neil put his name forward.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Neil particularly enjoys feature stories because they give him the opportunity to “make a connection, and to learn more about someone.” They also provide greater opportunity for visual creativity—one of the skills he has developed and brought to his work.
And it was that visual creativity that recently earned Neil some significant recognition.
With encouragement from colleagues, Neil submitted one of his favourite feature stories, Trees for Hope for Wildlife, to the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Awards for the Eastern Region, in the organization’s newest category, Excellence in Camera Work.
The feature highlighted Hope for Wildlife, a nonprofit organization in Seaforth, Nova Scotia, and its ongoing need to maintain a supply of shrubs and trees to feed and shelter the animals temporarily residing at the sanctuary.
Neil focused his camera on Hope Swimmer’s refuge and its enclosures as local residents dropped off resources. As he moved throughout the sanctuary capturing footage, he was also looking for those small moments that could bring the story to life.
One of those moments was a porcupine munching on a sprig of spruce.
Neil intentionally set out to capture the sound as well as the image—the pièce de résistance of the scene. Of course, capturing it was not quite as simple as pointing a camera and pressing record. First, he had to wait for the porcupine to start munching. Then came the even greater challenge of isolating those distinctive chopping sounds from the surrounding background noise.
Once the footage was assembled, Neil knew he had created a story he could be proud of.
That feeling grew a couple of months ago when he learned he was a finalist in the RTDNA Awards and that his work would be judged by a panel of peers from across Canada.
On September 18, 2026, Neil attended the awards ceremony and came home with the top honour in the Excellence in Camera Work category.
His career has taken him throughout Nova Scotia and into some remarkable moments. One assignment involved covering a marriage in Cape Breton during Hurricane Fiona. At one point, Neil’s camera light became an unexpected but welcome addition to the reception, helping guests find their way onto the dance floor.
Neil admits that too often he finds himself thinking, “I need to get my camera for this,” only to realize he doesn’t have it with him.
But along the way, he has learned something even more important: everyone has a story.
His advice is simple: “Take the moment to listen. Even if you’ve heard it before.”
It’s advice that seems fitting for someone whose career is built around noticing the moments others might overlook.
Neil understands the importance of being present, paying attention and capturing a story—not just for the moment, but so it can be shared long after the moment has passed.
From once being the subject of a feature story himself to now giving others the space to tell theirs, Neil Benedict has come full circle.
And this Noel Shore kid is keeping the tradition of storytelling alive and well—one frame at a time.
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