When John Chambers and Ryan O'Connor crossed the stage at Ulster University's Derry~Londonderry graduation ceremony on 7 July, they were celebrating much more than academic success.
For both men, graduating with BSc (Hons) degrees in Cinematic Arts marks the culmination of years of determination, resilience and recovery after life-changing health challenges that once threatened to derail their futures.
Now, having overcome extraordinary adversity, the two aspiring filmmakers are using their stories to inspire others to believe that no setback is too great to overcome.
How filmmaking helped John Chambers rebuild his future
John Chambers, from Derry, was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child and later faced further challenges following a serious road traffic accident on New Year's Eve 2021. The accident left him with a brain injury and fractured knee, forcing him to spend much of the following two years focused on recovery.
“There was a period where I could barely read the ingredients on a tin of beans without getting a migraine,” John recalled.
The combined impact of the accident, the Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of his father left John questioning his future and struggling to regain confidence. With support from the Cedar Foundation, a Northern Ireland charity that helps people with disability, autism and brain injury to access opportunities in education, employment and community life, John found a pathway back to his ambitions and enrolled on Ulster University's Cinematic Arts programme. There, he rediscovered his passion for storytelling and documentary filmmaking.
His final-year documentary, Cedar and I, explores the importance of support networks and reflects on the role organisations, mentors and educators can play in helping people overcome challenges and achieve their ambitions. Inspired by his own experience, the film pays tribute to the Cedar Foundation, whose support John credits with making possible a university journey that changed the course of his life and opened doors he never believed would be within his reach.
Ryan O’Connor’s journey from heart transplant to filmmaker
For fellow graduate Ryan O'Connor from Dungiven, overcoming adversity has been a lifelong journey.
Born with a serious heart condition, Ryan underwent a heart transplant at the age of 18. Just two days after surgery, he suffered a cardiac arrest that led to the loss of both his legs. As he recovered, he faced further setbacks, including an aneurysm and a minor stroke, but remained determined to rebuild his life and pursue his ambitions.
After completing media qualifications at North West Regional College, Ryan pursued his dream of working in film and television. Following a period of study in England that was interrupted by further health issues, he transferred to Ulster University's Cinematic Arts programme, where he joined directly into final year and quickly became a valued member of the course community.
Drawing on both filmmaking experience and life experience, Ryan says studying alongside younger classmates gave him the opportunity to encourage others and bring a positive perspective to group projects. The confidence he gained through overcoming challenges and embracing new opportunities also led him to acting, including a credited role as the ‘dying rider’ in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Reflecting on his journey Ryan said:
“I've learned that if one way doesn't work, there's always another way. That's true whether you're making a film or facing challenges in life. Losing my legs never meant I couldn't do something – it just meant I'd have to find a different way to do it.”
Ryan and John are two of more than 5000 students graduating from Ulster University this summer, with ten days of celebrations taking place at ceremonies in Belfast, Coleraine & Derry~Londonderry.
Preparing for careers in Northern Ireland’s growing screen industry
Both students credit the support and encouragement they received from staff within Ulster University’s Cinematic Arts programme, including Dr Laura Aguiar, Dr Victoria McCollum, Jim Curran, John Kavanagh and Lee Cadieux, with helping them grow creatively and personally throughout their studies.
While their experiences have been very different, both graduates found that filmmaking became a powerful way to rebuild confidence, tell stories and look towards the future.
Their studies also coincided with an exciting period of growth for Northern Ireland's screen industries. Through the course, both students gained insight into emerging opportunities within the region's rapidly expanding film and television sector, including the development of world-class facilities such as Studio Ulster and the increasing number of major productions choosing Northern Ireland as a filming location.
For Ryan, seeing the scale of investment and ambition within the local industry reinforced his belief that aspiring filmmakers can build successful careers closer to home.
John has already seen one of his documentaries screened internationally at film festivals and earned his first film award. Following graduation, he hopes topursue a career in documentary filmmaking through freelance projects, film festival submissions and future creative collaborations.
Ryan is currently developing a short film with his cousin, with ambitions to submit it to major film festivals and continue building a career in the screen industries.
Reflecting on graduation, both agree that their degrees represent far more than an academic qualification.
John said:
"After my accident, university felt a long way off. The Cedar Foundation helped me take those first steps, supporting me through applications, student support processes and the challenges of returning to education. I genuinely don't think I'd be graduating today without them. Their support became the inspiration for my documentary, Cedar and I, and coming to Ulster helped me find my confidence and my voice again."
Ryan added:
"From where I was at 18 to where I am today, graduating is a huge achievement. Ulster gave me the opportunity to continue pursuing something I've always loved and to prove to myself that nothing has to hold you back. I'm proud of how far I've come and excited about what comes next."
Together, their stories are a reminder that adversity does not have to define a person's future. Through determination, creativity and the support of those around them, both men have transformed personal challenges into opportunities and are now preparing to play their part in Northern Ireland's growing creative industries.
