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STORYHIVE 2021 VOICES SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND RULES

Great news! STORYHIVE is launching the Inaugural STORYHIVE 2021 Voices program to fund emerging content creators who want to grow their skills, impact and audience through training and a community of support. We're looking for content creators across BC and Alberta who have an idea for a screen-based project with 6 episodes or more (minimum of 150 minutes combined runtime).

Before beginning your Submission, please read these SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND RULES carefully. In them you will find important information such as key dates, what kinds of stories and projects we are looking for, eligibility requirements, submission requirements and more. This is more than just the fine print. It’s a guide to creating a successful Submission. For even more information, please check out the FAQs in our Help Centre. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

KEY DATES:

  • Intake: Sept 28, 2021 (Tuesday)

  • Intake closes: Oct 26, 2021 (Tuesday)

  • Moderation: Oct 28 - Nov 25, 2021

  • Shortlist Creation: Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2021

  • Selection Committee day: Dec 15, 2021

  • Awards announced: Jan 11, 2022

  • Drawdown #1: Upon receipt of all accounting details and signed grant agreement

  • Drawdown #2: Upon completion of final delivery

  • Training Module #1 | Creator Workshop | Jan 25

  • Training Module #2 | Business of Screen Media 101 | Jan 27

  • Training Module #3 | Conducting Interviews & Crafting Story | Feb 1

  • Training Module #4 | Sounds, Lights, Camera: Action! | Feb 3

  • Training Module #5 | Finishing Touches: Editing, Packaging & Distribution | Feb 8
    (90 minute training modules on Tuesday & Thursday evenings)

*Production cannot begin prior to Creator Workshop #1.

STORYHIVE 2021 Voices is open to new and emerging content creators from eligible communities in BC and Alberta. Whether you like to shoot on your phone or use a pro camera, this is your chance to make some content that matters to you and retain the intellectual property rights to your produced work. 

Please note that previous experience is not required to be eligible. We welcome Project Leads who are first time content creators. 

STORYHIVE 2021 Voices is seeking stories that capture the voice, personality and experiences of communities across Western Canada. 

With STORYHIVE 2021 Voices, STORYHIVE is providing up to (100) Projects with grants of $10,000 each to produce locally reflective nonfiction video content. In addition to the funding, successful creators will receive customized workshops, training and distribution of their Projects on select TELUS Platforms. 

Each Project will consist of a minimum of 150 minutes of episodic locally reflective video content, can be a minimum 6 episodes and a maximum of 10 episodes.

Examples of eligible nonfiction content:

  • A documentary web series

  • A series of "how to" videos

  • A series of fitness videos

  • An interview style show 

  • A review show

  • A podcast (see for more details)

For projects involving Indigenous communities, cultures, concepts and stories, we encourage applicants to consult On-Screen Protocols & Pathways before submitting their project: https://iso-bea.ca/download/on-screen-protocols-pathways/ 

DELIVERABLES (What you are required to deliver to STORYHIVE):

For each program:

  • HD video file of your program (delivered as an H264.mov or H265.mov file)

  • Artwork (jpg or png):

    • Large Box Art

    • Small Box Art

    • Key Art

    • Thumbnail

  • Transcription (.docx or .txt - OPTIONAL)

For all the technical specifications for these deliverables, please see: What are the specs required for video files, artwork and transcription for STORYHIVE 2021 Voices?

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

Community health and safety is our priority, and as such, we encourage you to take the necessary and responsible precautions to protect public health. Please familiarize yourself with the following reputable sources, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, your provincial medical officer or the World Health Organization, and please urge everyone in your community to do the same.

Production Team Policy

Due to the current pandemic all projects are required to limit their in-person crews to a max of 3 people.

Resources for BC-based creators:

https://www.creativebc.com/about-us/news/covid-19/motion-picture#safety-guidelines-pandemic-production-guide

Resources for Alberta-based creators:

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-screen-based-production-industry.pdf

SUBMISSION RULES

BY REGISTERING TO SUBMIT A PITCH FOR A PROPOSED PROJECT FOR CONSIDERATION (KNOWN ALSO HEREIN AS A SUBMISSION), YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS (the "Terms").

TELUS has developed a digital funding platform called "STORYHIVE" to award grant funding and distribution to local content creators, and support the creation of locally-produced programming available on TELUS Optik TV On Demand (via TELUS  STORYHIVE / TELUS Community Television).

In order to qualify, each applicant (a “Project Lead”) must submit materials comprising a submission (a “Submission”) for locally reflective video content (a “Project”) created by the applicant. Following the process of Submission, Moderation and selection by a selection committee, a Project Lead could then be eligible to receive one of up to 100 available $10,000 grants (each, a “Grant"), (available to eligible BC and Alberta residents only) from TELUS, to produce their proposed Project. Each of the successful Projects will also receive distribution on select TELUS platforms. Project Leads will retain the rights, including copyright, to their finished Projects.

STORYHIVE will begin accepting Submissions for STORYHIVE 2021 Voices on  September 28, 2021. The deadline for Submissions is 5:00pm PDT/6:00pm MDT on October 26, 2021.  Each of the Project Leads who are selected to receive a Grant will be required to sign the TELUS STORYHIVE Community Access License Agreement (the “TELUS Grant Agreement”). The final delivery date for each completed Project will be June 28, 2022.

1.  PROJECT AWARD (GRANT DESCRIPTION)

Project Leads will be eligible to receive a Grant of $10,000 CAD to create a Project. 

Projects may be featured on TELUS Optik TV On Demand, TELUS website(s), the STORYHIVE website (the “Website”) and other TELUS branded websites or social media platforms (including, but not limited to, YouTube) (together, the ''TELUS Platforms"). Projects may also be featured on Air Canada’s Inflight Entertainment System. Project Leads will retain all the intellectual property rights, including copyright, to their finished Projects. 

The Grant is awarded to the Project Lead and is non-transferable; the Project Lead cannot change. If the Project Lead wishes to execute the TELUS Grant Agreement under a company name, the Project Lead must own and control at least 51% of the company and the company must be located in the Project Lead’s community of residence; proof of company ownership and registered address must be supplied to TELUS.

2. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to receive a Grant from TELUS, all Projects must be locally reflective (as described below) and must be led by an eligible Project Lead who will act as the primary applicant and accept responsibility for the obligations under these Terms and, if chosen to receive a Grant, under the terms of the TELUS Grant Agreement. Project Leads can be first time video content creators; previous experience is not required in order to be eligible.  

EACH PROJECT LEAD MUST:

A. Be the age of majority, or older, in their province of residence (British Columbia or Alberta) as of the STORYHIVE 2021 Voices intake deadline date, October 26, 2021 at 5:00pm  PDT/6:00pm MDT;

B. Be a resident of one of the following communities in British Columbia or Alberta: 

NOTE: If you are a resident of an Indigenous community close to one of these listed communities, please reach out to us at storyhive@telus.com to verify your eligibility.

Alberta:

Acheson; Airdrie; Alberta Beach; Beaumont; Bittern Lake; Blackfalds; Brooks; Calgary; Camrose; Canmore; Carstairs; Chestermere; Clairmont; Coalhurst; Cochrane; Crossfield; Dead Man’s Flats; Devon; Didsbury; Drayton Valley; Dunmore; Edmonton; Edson; Evansburg; Falher; Fort Mackay; Fort McMurray; Grande Prairie; High Prairie; High River; Hinton; Innisfail; Lacombe; Langdon; Leduc; Lethbridge; Lloydminster; Marlboro; Medicine Hat; Namao; Nisku; Okotoks; Peace River; Ponoka; Red Deer; Redcliff; Rocky View County; Ruth Lake; Sherwood Park; Slave Lake; Spruce Grove; St. Albert; Stony Plain; Strathmore; Sylvan Lake; Val Quentin; Vegreville; Wabamun; Wetaskiwin; Whitecourt; Widewater; Wildwood;

British Columbia:

Abbotsford; Agassiz, Aldergrove; Annacis Island; Armstrong; Beaverly; Beecher Bay IR; Belcarra, Bowen Island; Bowser; Brackendale; Brentwood Bay; Britannia Beach; Burnaby; Campbell River; Canoe; Chemainus; Chilliwack; Cobble Hill; Cole Bay IR; Columbia Valley; Comox; Coquitlam; Courtenay; Cowichan Bay; Cranbrook; Creston; Cultus Lake, Cumberland; Davis Bay; Dawson Creek; Deep Creek; Delta; Duncan;; Esquimalt; Faulder; Fort St. John; Fruitvale; Furry Creek; Gallagher Lake; Garden Bay; Garibaldi Highlands: Heriot Bay; Highlands; Gibsons; Halfmoon Bay; Hatzic; Hornby Island; Kamloops; Kelowna; Kitselas; Kitsumkalum Mountain; Ladner; Ladysmith; Lake Cowichan; Lake Errock; Langley City; Lantzville; Lindell Beach; Lions Bay; Madeira Park, Maple Ridge; Merville; Mill Bay; Mission; Nanaimo; Nanoose Bay; Naramata; New Westminster; North Vancouver; Oasis; Okanagan Falls; Oliver; Osoyoos; Oyama; Parksville; Peachland; Pender Harbour; Penticton; Pitt Meadows; Popkum; Port Alberni; Port Coquitlam; Port Moody; Powell River; Priest’s Valley 6; Prince George; Qualicum Beach; Quathiaski Cove; Revelstoke; Richmond; Rivervale; Roberts Creek; Rossland; Saanich; Salmon Arm; Sechelt; Secret Cove; Selma Park; Shawnigan Lake; Sidney; Silver Creek; Sooke; Squamish; Summerland; Surrey; Terrace; Trail; Tsawwassen; Union Bay; Vancouver; Vernon; Victoria; View Royal; Warfield; West Vancouver; Whistler; White Rock; Wilson Creek

C. Be a resident of the community from which they are applying (see eligible communities listed above) and be able to supply current proof of residency for the address listed on their submission; 

D. Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

E. Must have all the rights, releases and clearances necessary to produce, own and exploit the Project and for deployment of the Project on required TELUS Platforms (including synchronization and master use rights for any music used in the Project and all other material including logos and signage, interviews, performances, etc. in your project.), and must enter into a TELUS Grant Agreement with TELUS;

F. Acknowledge they have read, understand and will adhere to the STORYHIVE Community Code of Conduct: https://www.storyhive.com/index/code-of-conduct;

G. Not be an individual associated with TELUS, including but not limited to the following: the employees, contractors, agents and representatives of TELUS, Optik TV, TELUS Satellite TV or another broadcast distribution undertaking (a BDU) such as Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct or any other Canadian cable or IPTV service provider, or any external partners of TELUS who enter into an agreement with TELUS to assist in any way with STORYHIVE 2021 Voices (collectively, the “Excluded Individuals”).  For clarity, Excluded Individuals may participate in a Submission and a Project as a member of the video production crew provided they are not the Project Lead; 

H. Not be already working within the traditional Canadian broadcast system or a media professional widely known to the public, and must not have received a broadcast licence from a Canadian broadcaster in the last five years; and

I. In addition to the above-noted eligibility criteria, if awarded a Grant, be prepared to: 

i. Complete technical delivery of the Project on or before 5:00 pm PDT on June 28th, 2022 and receive TELUS’ acceptance and approval of the Program, in its discretion; and

ii. Accept sole responsibility for all budget overages for the Project.

EACH PROJECT MUST: 

A. Fall into the category of nonfiction;  

B. Be locally reflective. To be considered “locally reflective”, the Project elements must meet the following criteria:

i. The Project Lead currently resides in the community, town or city indicated on their application to the STORYHIVE 2021 Voices (the “Community of Residence”);

C. No less than 80% of the filming and production of the Project will take place in the Project Lead’s Community of Residence;

D. No less than 80% of the budget spent to produce the Project will be spent in the Project Lead’s Community of Residence;

E. The Project is about people, topics or events that are relevant and connected to the Project Lead's Community of Residence.  

For additional information, refer to our FAQs;

F. Present fair and balanced views, with all stakeholders on an issue fairly represented;

G. Be in compliance with all laws, regulations and policies governing content, taste, community reflection and diversity of voices including the Broadcasting Act, CRTC Best Practice Code, and other relevant Canadian legislation pertaining to the nature of acceptable content (please consult the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council website for further information);

H. Qualify for a G or PG rating; must not contravene the law, promote hatred or contempt towards other individuals or groups; must not contain obscene or profane language or imagery or false or misleading factual content;

I. Be a combined minimum running time of 150 minutes in length including any and all credits. A maximum length of no more than 180 minutes is recommended;

J. Be in a format that can be delivered for distribution on IPTV and online (i.e. meet technical requirements for delivery for both video on demand and online) Note: submitted videos must be in a High Definition format;

K. Not have been already shot and seeking completion funding. STORYHIVE will allow a maximum of 15% of a Project to have previously been recorded;

L. Not have been previously licensed to a broadcaster or appeared on a major network;

M. Not include financing for the production from a broadcaster (i.e. conventional television network like CBC, CTV, Global or City TV, over-the-top Internet-based service provider such as Netflix, or discretionary (specialty) service such as History TV, Documentary Channel or Food Network; and

N. Be in English or be able to be subtitled or versioned into English.

EXCLUSIONS:

The following types of applicants and project material are excluded from eligibility:

  1. Religious or sectarian organizations (except where they represent non-denominational community and social support services);

  2. Political organizations and candidates; and

  3. Advocacy or special interest groups.

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS

STORYHIVE does not wish to unduly limit the types of content or submissions that it supports, and Submissions for all types of locally reflective Projects are encouraged. However, the following types of projects are ineligible for STORYHIVE 2021 Voices:

  1. Fictional Projects

  2. Music Videos;

  3. Animation

  4. Video Game and other applications

  5. Websites

  6. Non-Canadian content

3. HOW TO PARTICIPATE

There is no fee to participate. Only one (1) Submission is allowed per Project Lead. A Project Lead is permitted to be a part of other project teams, but  can only be the Project Lead for one project.  As noted previously, once your Submission is completed, the Project Lead cannot be changed. 

STEP 1: SIGN IN + BUILD YOUR CREATIVE PROFILE: 

Join the STORYHIVE Creator Directory by selecting Join Now on the home page. Once you create a STORYHIVE profile, you will be added to the Creator Directory. You can browse the Creator Directory to search for potential collaborators for your Project. You need to create your profile on the Creator Directory in order to proceed with a submission for a Grant from STORYHIVE.

STEP 2: PITCH + PLAN: 

Applicants have from 12:00pm (NOON) PDT/1:00pm MDT September 28, 2021 until 5:00pm PDT/6:00pm MDT October 26, 2021 to complete and submit their Submission on STORYHIVE.com.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

All the information and materials you submit will be reviewed by the selection committee and the STORYHIVE team only. They will not be available to the public. For more details regarding the submission materials, please see “What do I need to submit for my STORYHIVE 2021 Voices application?”

Project Information:  

  • Project Title (text field)

  • Genre (pre-filled) Nonfiction 

  • Logline (text field, maximum 120 characters)

  • Synopsis (text field, maximum 800 characters)

  • Projected Combined Runtime (enter the combined total running time in minutes; minimum combined running time is 60 minutes, recommended maximum 180 minutes)

  • Example of your work (OPTIONAL) - share an unlisted or public YouTube link

Additional Project Details

  • Where did you hear about STORYHIVE 2021 Voices? (dropdown menu)

  • Community Relevancy (text field)

  • Why you? (text field)

  • How are you going to tell the story? (text field) 

  • Locations (text field)

  • Production Experience (Text field))

  • Eligibility Requirement (check box) 

  • Budget (template with text fields) 

  • TELUS STORYHIVE Submission Release Agreement (check boxes)

NOTE: In order to complete your Submission you must accept the terms of and sign the TELUS STORYHIVE Submission Release Agreement.

MODERATION

Once the intake period closes at 5:00pm PDT/6:00pm MDT on October 26, 2021, all proposed Projects will be moderated for eligibility against the aforementioned criteria ("Moderation"). Only proposed Projects that meet the eligibility criteria outlined above will be eligible for consideration by the selection committee. TELUS will have the sole discretion to determine whether a proposed Project meets the eligibility criteria for STORYHIVE 2021 Voices.

STEP 3: AWARD + PRODUCE:

Successful Projects will be contacted the week of January 11, 2022. If your Project is selected to receive a Grant, TELUS will contact the Project Lead directly. TELUS will verify the eligibility of the Project Lead and Project and if successfully verified, in TELUS’ sole discretion, will provide the Project Lead with a TELUS Grant Agreement for review and execution. 

As noted previously, the TELUS Grant Agreement will set out the following, among other things:

  1. The Project Lead must have all the rights, releases and clearances necessary to produce, own and exploit the Project and for deployment of the Project on required TELUS Platforms (including synchronization and master use rights for any music used in the Project);

  2. Complete technical delivery of the Project must be submitted to TELUS on or before 5:00pm PDT/6:00pm MDT on June 28th, 2022 (unless otherwise agreed) and receive TELUS’ acceptance and approval of the Project, in TELUS’ sole discretion; and

  3. The Project Lead must accept sole responsibility for all budget overages for the Project.

Following the full execution of the TELUS Grant Agreement and the receipt, acceptance and approval by TELUS, in its sole discretion, of any contractual preconditions (if applicable), the Grant will be paid in accordance with a drawdown schedule as set out in the TELUS Grant Agreement. 

STEP 4: DISTRIBUTE + WATCH:

STORYHIVE 2021 Voices Projects may be made available on TELUS Platforms, community screenings, various social media channels and distributed by partners of TELUS STORYHIVE.

4. GENERAL CONDITIONS

TELUS reserves the right, but not the obligation, to verify all Submissions. Any attempt to tamper with the entry process, interfere with these Terms, deliberately damage the Website or any website associated therewith or undermine the administration, security or legitimate operation of STORYHIVE 2021 Voices, is a violation of criminal and civil laws and TELUS reserves the right, but not the obligation, to seek damages and other relief from all persons responsible for such acts to the fullest extent permitted by law, which may also include banning or disqualifying participants from STORYHIVE 2021 Voices and future STORYHIVE grants and editions.

REFUSAL OF A GRANT 

The refusal by a potential or declared recipient of a Grant to accept the Grant awarded in accordance with the Terms shall release and forever discharge TELUS, its representatives, its affiliated companies or related companies and their advertising and promotional agencies, contractors and service providers, and their respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, “TELUS"), from any and all obligations related to the Grant.

RELEASE 

Each Project Lead and all team members hereby release and hold harmless TELUS from any and all liability for any and all damage, loss or liability suffered as a result of or arising from their participation in STORYHIVE 2021 Voices.  As noted previously, as part of the Submission, Project Leads will also be required to sign the TELUS STORYHIVE Submission Release Agreement . 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TELUS is not liable for faulty computer components, software, or links; the loss or nonexistence of communications capability; or faulty, incomplete, incomprehensible, or erased computer or network transmissions that make it difficult, or render a user unable, to use the Website or any Website feature, howsoever caused, the malfunction of, or damage caused to, any telephone or network or lines, computer equipment, data or software, online systems, servers or access providers; or the security or privacy of information transmitted via computer networks; or for breaches of privacy due to interference by third party computer "hackers". TELUS is not liable for any harm suffered directly or indirectly as a result of downloading any Web page or software or transmitting any information related to entry in STORYHIVE 2021 Voices. Further, TELUS assumes no responsibility for entries lost, stolen, delayed, damaged or misdirected. TELUS does not guarantee access to or non-interruption of the Website during the STORYHIVE 2021 Voices or that it will be free of any errors.  

OWNERSHIP

A Canadian-controlled company or a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada must own: (a) the master recording of the music featured in the Project; and (b) the Project.

CONSENT 

By entering STORYHIVE 2021 Voices and completing a Submission, each Project Lead and team member consents to the use by TELUS of their names, city of residence, photograph, voice and image for publicity purposes in all media, without payment, compensation, or notification.  Each Project Lead and team member also consents to the exhibition and reproduction of their Project on any TELUS Platform, as well as the Website, at community screenings, on various social media channels and any distribution by partners of TELUS.

MODIFICATION 

TELUS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend STORYHIVE 2021 Voices, in whole or in part, at any time.  TELUS will not be liable to you or to any third-party for any cancellation, termination, modification or suspension of STORYHIVE 2021 Voices. Your continued use of or access to the Website following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

IMPOSSIBILITY TO ACT DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE. 

TELUS will not be liable to you for any damages for a failure to operate STORYHIVE 2021 Voices in accordance with these Terms in any case where its incapacity to act results from circumstances or a situation beyond its control, in TELUS’ sole discretion, or because of a strike, lock-out or any other labour dispute in its company or those of businesses which services are used for holding STORYHIVE 2021 Voices, war, riot, insurrection, earthquake, terrorism, civil commotion, fire, flood, accident, storm or any other act of nature.

DECISIONS OF TELUS. 

All decisions of TELUS regarding STORYHIVE 2021 Voices are final and binding.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility or the eligibility of your team members, your Project or the Grants, or would like a hardcopy of these Terms mailed to you, please email us here: storyhive@telus.com

Please print or save a PDF of these Terms by clicking the button below.