5 Emerging Themes Revealed in the Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition Pitches (Downloadable Pitch Analysis Report)

Hi there! I’m Linette Ho, Senior Marketing Manager at TELUS STORYHIVE. I get to work with an amazing team to lead marketing for all of our STORYHIVE programs. Together, we focus on growing the brand and, most importantly, help amplify the voices of the incredible creators in our community.

Earlier this year, we opened the call for the first-ever TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, a new funding opportunity created to support new and emerging Pan-Asian voices across British Columbia and Alberta. We partnered with Cold Tea Collective, Popcorn Media, Wong Fu Productions and a Pan-Asian Advisory Committee along with many other STORYHIVE alumni, creators and partners. The response was overwhelming — 319 thoughtful and passionate project pitches from across the region. We received pitches ranging from drama, documentary, comedy, horror/thriller, sci-fi/fantasy and experimental. 

What we witnessed was more than just numbers. These submissions reflect a vibrant, multifaceted creative community deeply engaged in storytelling that matters — stories rooted in identity, migration, family and cultural expression.

After reviewing all the pitches, our team identified five key thematic themes that surfaced again and again. Together, these themes offer a powerful lens into the lived experiences of Pan-Asian Canadians today.

1. Immigration & Diaspora Experiences

The most dominant theme revolved around the immigrant journey — navigating the complexities of belonging and survival. These stories painted vivid portraits of resilience and displacement, touching everything from professional credential challenges, language barriers, financial insecurity, deportation and student experiences. 

2. Intergenerational Family Dynamics

The second most common thread explored the tensions and tenderness between generations within immigrant families. These projects often examined cultural and career expectations vs personal freedom, generational language loss, aging parents with dementia, traditional values clashing with modern Canadian life and passing down or taking over a family business. 

3. Cultural Identity & Belonging

A deeply emotional and personal theme, many creators explored the space between cultures — not feeling “Asian enough” or “Canadian enough.” Submissions included stories of mixed-race identity, cultural reconnection journeys, heritage preservation versus assimilation and second- and third-generation struggles with identity. 

4. Food as Cultural Connection

Food emerged as a vibrant storytelling tool — a way to preserve heritage, bond with family and express identity. Common themes included intergenerational cooking and family recipes; restaurant and food business culture; memories tied to meals; culinary fusion and identity through cuisine. 

5. 2SLGBTQI+ Identity in Traditional Families

A growing body of work centered on queer stories within culturally conservative contexts — brave and nuanced explorations of love, identity and acceptance.

This mix shows that Pan-Asian Canadian storytellers aren’t confined to serious narratives — they’re also exploring humour, horror, surrealism and avant-garde styles to express complex cultural themes.

Want to dive deeper into the data and themes behind the 319 submissions?

We’ve created a downloadable Pitch Analysis Report that offers further insight into the trends, genres and voices behind this Edition. [Download the report here]

As we move into the next phase of the Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, we’re more energized than ever by the diversity, creativity and courage in these pitches. Thank you to every single applicant who shared your story with us — your voice is vital.

This is just the beginning of a larger movement toward amplifying underrepresented voices in Canadian media. At TELUS STORYHIVE, we’re proud to help bring these stories to life — from the family dinner table to the big screen.

Stay tuned as we announce the selected filmmakers in September 2025.