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 Alberta and B.C. 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 Alberta and B.C. 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, Eunice Hau has expanded her creative horizons and explored new opportunities within her community.
Eunice Hau has brought many diverse and authentic narratives to the screen with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE. Most recently, she produced Ginger Beef, a web series pilot that she wrote and directed herself. The project follows a Chinese-Canadian girl navigating a rough first day of high school, only to have her best friend ditch her for someone ‘cooler.’ Before Ginger Beef, STORYHIVE also helped Hau bring to life Hang Dog (a music video) and Of Broken Vessels (her first short film post-film school, set on a sailboat).
Hau has felt STORYHIVE’s support at every stage of her journey. “They were always available to answer questions and made the whole process very accessible,” she says. Beyond providing much-needed funding, STORYHIVE offered training, mentorship (through the National Screen Institute), structured timelines and valuable feedback that helped shape Hau’s projects.
She first learned about STORYHIVE while attending a film conference in Banff with fellow Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) students. There, she met STORYHIVE staff, including a SAIT graduate who encouraged her and two friends to apply. “It was finals season, so we were already pushed to the limit, but thanks to the STORYHIVE rep’s encouragement, we decided to apply,” she recalls.
Among the many highlights of her STORYHIVE experience, one moment stands out as particularly surreal. “The moment I got a friend request from actor Andrew Phung!” Hau says. “He had seen that I’d received funding for Ginger Beef and reached out to congratulate me. He even ended up playing a role in the pilot episode!”
Of course, every filmmaking journey comes with challenges. Hau quickly learned the importance of adaptability. Her advice? “Have lots of backup plans and embrace the fact that things could change on a dime – which can lead to more creativity and efficiency!” she advises.
When filming Ginger Beef, several key team members drove from Vancouver to Calgary, but winter driving conditions forced them to cut one of their shooting days, leaving only two days to complete filming. Despite the setback, the team pulled together, proving that sometimes unexpected changes can lead to even stronger results.
Hau adds that working with a mentor from the National Screen Institute was invaluable, particularly in refining the script for her first short film. “He had some really astute observations and recommendations that made our story stronger,” she reflects.
For those considering applying to the Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, Hau says: “Do it! If you have the tiniest seed of desire to tell a story in a film format, put your best foot forward and apply! There are so many doubts and hesitations that can creep into our heads, but STORYHIVE is the best way to dip your toe into the filmmaking waters.”
She also encourages Pan-Asian storytellers to share their perspectives, knowing that their voices matter. “It takes courage and vulnerability to share your stories and it is so worth it! The world needs more stories that are authentic, raw and point towards hope.”
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.
“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 Alberta and B.C. 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 Alberta and B.C.
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.
