The journey of content creation often begins with a spark of inspiration but is hindered by practical barriers like time, tools, and, most notably, money. Countless creators have endless incredible ideas, yet the final step of turning them into reality often feels out of reach. Thankfully, TELUS STORYHIVE has been helping to break down these barriers since 2013, championing local creators in British Columbia and Alberta through its innovative programs. To date, STORYHIVE’s programs have supported over 1,400 projects in more than 270 communities, investing $66.9 million in production funding and offering over 162,000 hours of training and mentorship.One of STORYHIVE’s most accessible programs is Voices, designed to help new and emerging digital content creators make their mark in the media landscape. Voices is the perfect platform for creators to overcome the financial and technical obstacles that may have held them back.
Selected participants in STORYHIVE Voices will receive $10,000 in production funding, training and a community of support. They also gain distribution opportunities with access to over 1 million viewers on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+, and over 162,000 subscribers on STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
How STORYHIVE Voices helped Sara Jones make her dreams a reality
Sara has always loved creating videos. She recalls using the old family home camera to capture moments from her life. But as often happens, she stopped creating the older she got.
“One day, I realized I needed to find my creativity again after facing some life challenges,” Sara shares. “But I felt so discouraged since I didn’t have any professional training or education in film.”
That’s when she found STORYHIVE and knew she had to pursue her dreams.
Sara’s project, Finding Home, holds a special place in her heart, as it tells her mother’s story of living through the Sixties Scoop. This refers to the time period in Canadian history when Indigenous children were taken or “scooped” away from their families and communities in the 1960s. This process was facilitated by the Canadian government primarily as an extension of racist policies and an attempt to assimilate Indigenous children into Western society.
In her project, Sara shares the impact that this had not only on her mother, but her family. She says the most memorable part of the process was exploring her family’s past more and finding out that her grandfather had been the subject of a past STORYHIVE project.
STORYHIVE focuses on supporting underrepresented stories from communities across B.C. and Alberta. That’s why Sara’s project stood out. And Sara shares how grateful she is to the STORYHIVE team and community for showing her how important her story and creativity really are.
For those thinking about applying, Sara says to “just apply! Especially if you have self-doubts or don’t think you have enough experience. When they say this program is for emerging creators, they really mean it!”
“The help and support I received along the way gave me the confidence I needed to spark my creativity and believe in myself.”
Beyond that, Sara encourages all new creators to be authentic and genuine when you’re creating.
“Don’t be scared to let people see who you are. Being 100% real helped bring out the emotion I needed to make my project memorable.”
Got a story to tell? Apply to STORYHIVE Voices today!
This program is open to all new and emerging storytellers across B.C. and Alberta who are the age of majority or older in their province of residence. Whether you’ve never picked up a camera before, a creator looking for your next big project, or you’re a YouTuber or Tiktoker looking to expand your audience, STORYHIVEVoices welcomes you. The program emphasizes diversity, encouraging storytellers from underrepresented communities to share their unique perspectives.
Eligible formats include non-fiction episodic genres such as cooking shows, edutainment shows, and how-to guides. While fictional or promotional content isn’t permitted, the guidelines allow ample space for creators to innovate and experiment.
Applications for STORYHIVE Voices are open from February 11 to March 20, 2025. Visit storyhive.com/apply to submit your pitch.
Your Passion, Your Community. With $10,000 in production funding, training, a community of support, and a platform to share your story, STORYHIVE Voices provides a launchpad for digital content creators to bring their ideas to life. Don’t miss this chance to turn your dreams into reality!
