The Importance of Local, Reflective and Relevant Content in Canada

Hi there! Cameron Zinger here. I’m the Director of the TELUS Local Content team supporting both STORYHIVE and TELUS originals. I am extremely proud to work with a team of creative individuals who focus on creating a better world through the content that we fund. Through this blog series, I will share my insights on the Canadian film industry, tips on engaging with our programs and more. 

To kick off this series, this first blog post is focused on providing you a better understanding of the importance of local, reflective and relevant content in Canada and why you should get involved with our programs. 

In Canada, the television and film industries play a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the country. As such, it is important that these industries accurately reflect the diverse communities and voices within Canada. One way to achieve this is through the creation of local, reflective and relevant community programming which STORYHIVE often funds through its various programs. If you've ever wanted to apply to one or several of our funding programs, here are some terms you might find helpful.

Local programming refers to television and film content that is produced in a specific region or community, and reflects the experiences and perspectives of that community. This can include documentaries, news programs and other types of content that highlights the unique aspects of the community. By producing local programming, television and film industries can ensure that a wide range of voices and experiences are represented on screen.

Reflective programming refers to content that accurately reflects the diversity of the community it is representing. This can include representation of different ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and abilities. Reflective programming helps to create a more inclusive and nuanced representation of the community, and can serve as a powerful tool for promoting understanding and tolerance.

Relevant programming refers to content that addresses issues and concerns that are important to the community. This can include topics such as social justice, environmental issues and cultural traditions. By producing relevant programming, the television and film industries can help to raise awareness about important issues and facilitate dialogue and action within the community.

Creating local, reflective and relevant community programming is important for a number of reasons.

Diverse voices and perspectives 

First and foremost, it helps to ensure that a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented on screen. This is important for promoting understanding and tolerance, and for fostering a sense of connection within the community. In addition, local, reflective and relevant programming can also help to create a sense of pride and ownership within the community, as people see their own experiences and stories reflected on screen.

Economic benefits 

By producing content that reflects the experiences and perspectives of a particular community, the television and film industries can tap into new markets and audiences. This can lead to increased revenue and support for the industry, and can help to create new job opportunities within the community.

Creating local, reflective and relevant community programming is essential for ensuring that the television and film industries in Canada accurately reflect the diverse communities and voices within the country. It is a powerful tool for promoting understanding and tolerance, and can have significant economic benefits as well. It is important for the industry to prioritize the creation of this type of programming in order to create a more inclusive and nuanced representation of the country on screen.

Interested in sharing your local story? Explore TELUS STORYHIVE’s upcoming funding programs coming up in 2023.