TELUS STORYHIVE’s inaugural Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition aims to support new and emerging filmmakers and storytellers from the Pan-Asian creative and filmmaker community!
What story will you tell through the STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition?
Since 2013, content creators from across B.C. and Alberta have been sharing their passions and telling local stories from small towns and underrepresented communities, all with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE. These stories have sparked conversations, shifted narratives and helped launch the careers of emerging content creators.
STORYHIVE’s latest focused Edition, the Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, is set to support the underrepresented community of Pan-Asian creators and help them bring their stories to life, fictional or non-fictional.
Applications for STORYHIVE’s inaugural Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition program are officially open and they are encouraging new and emerging filmmakers, as well as STORYHIVE alumni of Pan-Asian heritage, to share fresh stories and spark community conversations.
This program is a reflection of the rich diversity of narratives from Pan-Asian creatives in Canada. TELUS STORYHIVE’s aim is to be inclusive of the breadth and depth of experiences of new and emerging filmmakers in B.C. and Alberta who are of Asian descent from across all regions of continental Asia.
“At TELUS STORYHIVE, we are proud to launch the first-ever Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition to amplify the voices of Pan-Asian storytellers across B.C. and Alberta, and celebrate the richness of their narratives,” shares STORYHIVE Territory Manager, Kent Donguines. “Representation is crucial in shaping cultural identity, especially for the Pan-Asian diaspora whose stories in Canada span multiple generations impacted by migration and cultural adaptation.”
Your Story, Your Narrative. Apply by May 8, 2025 to be a part of this brand new program from TELUS STORYHIVE!
With support from TELUS STORYHIVE, Maddy Chang has expanded her creative horizons and explored new opportunities within her community.
Maddy Chang graduated from film school in 2020, stepping into a world that had come to a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, as life began moving forward again, she saw an opportunity to share a story she was passionate about through TELUS STORYHIVE’s Local Heroes Documentary Edition.
“Director Mack Stannard approached me in 2020 with an intriguing story about a woman named Juliet, a retired RCMP officer navigating PTSD with the help of her service dog, Stark,” Chang says. “I wanted to share her journey and having heard about STORYHIVE in school, I felt it was the perfect time to apply and take on my first major project after film school.”
Working with Stannard, Chang produced a short documentary about Juliet and Stark titled In a New Light. She looks back on the experience with STORYHIVE as one filled with support and learning.
“The info sessions held at the start of the program helped set our team up for success,” she says. “They provided a clear timeline and detailed instructions for each deliverable. I was also pleased to see that the program is really designed for first-time and emerging filmmakers.”
With support from the STORYHIVE team, Chang also honed her skills in managing a film budget.
“I had never worked with a ‘large’ film budget before – I came from making films for free,” she says. “Figuring out how to get everything organized was a hands-on experience that I’m grateful for.”
As part of the program, Chang was paired with producer and mentor Barbara Hager from the National Screen Institute who provided valuable guidance, from editing notes to administrative support.
“It was great to have another set of eyes to help us catch anything we were missing,” Chang says.
Among her STORYHIVE experiences, one particularly meaningful moment stands out.
“Delivering and presenting the final film to the STORYHIVE team and then sharing it with Juliet and the PADS (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society) community, was incredibly special,” she says.
For those considering applying to the STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition program, Chang advises taking full advantage of the resources and support available.
“You get what you put into the program, so I encourage future participants to dive right in!” she says.
“Don’t be afraid to submit that project you’ve been working on – this is an incredible platform to tell your unique story. It’s rare to find funding opportunities specifically targeted to our community,” Chang adds. “And stay in touch with the people you collaborate with, as well as your mentor. I’ve continued working with the same crew from my past project, which has only strengthened my network.”
Tell your story through the TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition
Selected applicants will receive $20,000 in production funding, training, professional mentorship (in partnership with the National Screen Institute) and access to a diverse creator community to produce a narrative short film or documentary that reflects their local community. Projects will also receive distribution support and gain access to more than one million viewers on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+ and over 162,000 subscribers on TELUS STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
With the generous support of Creative BC, the B.C.-based filmmakers will also receive an additional $5,000 in top-up funding.
“Our goal is to uplift untapped unique voices and authentically portray the depth of Pan-Asian Canadian experiences that resonate across Western Canada and beyond,” Kent says. “Through this program, we will provide production funding, mentorship and resources to help empower new and emerging filmmakers to share their unique perspectives.”
Interested in applying?
Your Story, Your Narrative, Honouring Pan-Asian Heritage.
No experience is required. TELUS STORYHIVE’s inaugural Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition is open to new and emerging storytellers as well as STORYHIVE alumni of *Pan-Asian heritage.
Applications must be submitted online at STORYHIVE.com/apply by May 8, 2025.
Curious to learn more? Next week, join STORYHIVE for an insightful hour-long online session, where they will address as many questions as possible.
The STORYHIVE Editions team will be online for an hour-long Ask Us Anything webinar on Thursday, April 10 at 11 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. MT to take your questions. Please submit your questions at the provided link during the session.
Register for the event here.
Making an impact in B.C. and Alberta for over the past decade
Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has distributed more than $66.9 million in production funding, supporting 1,400+ screen-based projects, with over 162,000 hours of robust training and one-on-one mentorship. Committed to supporting and empowering the next generation of Canadian content creators and storytellers, STORYHIVE has supported 270+ communities across B.C. and Alberta.
Stay connected with STORYHIVE and learn about future funding opportunities on their social media channels Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
* This program supports filmmakers of Pan-Asian descent, referring to those whose ancestral and cultural heritage that comes from all parts of the continent of Asia.- See STORYHIVE.com/apply for more details.