Boris F. H. / No matter what life has thrown at you…you can still pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.
Boris on set of Ring of Passion.
For Boris, filmmaking is more than a creative outlet. It’s a way to make sense of the world, give voice to stories that deserve to be heard, and remind others that their past does not have to define their future.
That perspective came to life through his work on The Perfect Shoe and the documentary Ring of Passion, two films featured in the 2026 Reel Stories of Resilience Online Screening hosted by BetterYouth. The films explore foster care, mental health, vulnerability, resilience, and the power of using your voice to overcome life’s obstacles.
Across these productions, Boris took on a variety of roles, including still photography, set design, cinematography, audio, camera crew, and general production support.
Much of the learning happened on set, where Boris had to adapt quickly to whatever each project needed. But the experience taught him that successful filmmaking requires more than knowing how to operate a camera or capture the right shot. He shares:
“[Working on these sets] showed me that filmmaking is not only about technical skill, but also about communication, humility, purpose, and keeping the story bigger than any one person. For me, filmmaking and storytelling are not just hobbies or a way to create something visual. They are a way to share what is happening inside my head, my world, and the universe I imagine. Storytelling allows me to take abstract emotions, memories, and lived experiences and translate them into something people can see, feel, and understand on screen…Through film, I can give voice to stories that deserve to be heard—stories of success, struggle, motivation, empowerment, and the strength it takes to keep going in a world that is not always easy or kind.”
His path into these opportunities was shaped, in part, by his time in the Sparks mentorship community. Boris says one of the biggest lessons he carried with him was that being given an opportunity is only the beginning.
“Once you are in the room, you have to show why you belong there by contributing, showing up, listening, and bringing your full self to the work. Sparks gave me a space to develop my voice, my ideas, and my confidence as a creative. It taught me that what I bring to a project is not just technical skill, but also my experiences, perspective, and ability to help shape the story and message behind the production.”
Another lesson from a Sparks mentor has stayed with him: the importance of preparing for the unexpected. What began as practical advice about saving and creating an emergency buffer became something much bigger for Boris—a lesson in responsibility, stability, and caring for his future self.
Now, Boris hopes to use his filmmaking to help others see what is possible, even after difficult experiences.
“I hope audiences take away the message that no matter what life has thrown at you in the past, you can still pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.”
For him, resilience isn't about erasing the past. It’s about learning from it while continuing to move forward.
“The past can teach us, but it cannot give us back every version of who we used to be. What it can give us are lessons, flashbacks, and reminders of how far we have come. I hope people see that the present is a gift, and the future gives us purpose. Every new day is another chance to fight for solutions, make better choices, and continue becoming who we are meant to be.”
And perhaps that is what makes Boris’s own story so impactful. The young person who once needed someone in his corner is now using his creativity, perspective, and voice to help bring other stories to the world.
Looking ahead, he wants to continue telling stories that are personal, honest, and unafraid to explore difficult subjects. And he has no intention of waiting for the perfect moment to begin.
“I would rather be someone who tried on the battlefield than someone who never took the chance to create something meaningful. I believe every story has a way back to purpose, even when the path becomes complicated.”
Boris is doing more than telling stories. He is finding his voice, honoring the stories of others, and using his creativity to show that where you come from does not have to determine where you are going.
Sometimes, the next chapter begins when you decide to tell the story.
See Boris’s storytelling in action. Watch the films he helped bring to life here.
