Telus Storyhive, which funds and supports filmmakers with mentorships, is looking for Indigenous creators from Prince George to submit their short-film ideas.
Storyhive has launched its first-ever Indigenous Storyteller Edition, which will support 20 Indigenous-led-screen-based projects. Each recipient will receive $20,000 in production funding as well as mentorship and training. Creative B.C. will also offer B.C.-based projects up to $5,000 in top-up funding.
“We need more mentorship and education and training for up-and-coming filmmakers,” says Rylan Friday, a member of the Storyhive Indigenous Edition Advisory Council and a member of the Cote First Nation.
Indigenous filmmakers selected will receive $20,000 in funding and further mentorship opportunities. (via Telus Storyhive)“There is a lack of representation and also a lot of social and economic barriers for Indigenous filmmakers,” he adds.
He says it can be hard for Indigenous filmmakers to find a steady ground in the industry, and that he has experienced a sense of tokenism and stigmatization.
“There were times when I worked on non-Indigenous film projects and if there were any Indigenous-related issues, I experienced a form of racism where I was assumed the knowledge keeper of all Indigenous people and had all the knowledge which is not true,” says Friday.
“And there’s systemic colonial racism in the hierarchical aspect of filmmaking and film sets because there is always been a notion that if a project is about a person of colour then it won’t sell.”
With the launch of the Indigenous Storyteller Edition, Storyhive says it’s the beginning of their commitment to invest in the careers of Indigenous creators and help drive real social change in the screen-based production industry in Western Canada.
The 20 successful projects will be selected by an all-Indigenous jury. This marks one of the first times in Canada that a jury of this composition is greenlighting all Indigenous-led projects.
The design of this edition was shaped by Indigenous Storyhive alumni, like Vancouver-based Petie Chalifoux, who shared her experience about working with Telus with an external consultant, Nikki Sanchez from the University of Victoria.
The key findings from these interviews were applied to shape a program that would be culturally safe, empowering and relevant to Indigenous creators.
“Storyhive is a good leading example of a major funder that is going about change it the right way,” says Friday, who noted the importance of Indigenous consultation in creating the program.
“It just gives any Indigenous filmmaker the opportunity to create content and make sure that their voices are heard.”
Indigenous creators from Prince George are invited to submit their short-film idea. It can include a comedy, drama, animation, web series pilot or documentary between three to 10 minutes long. Beginners and more experienced creators are all encouraged to apply.
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 4. The projects will be featured on select Telus platforms in the fall of 2019.
