STORYHIVE 2022 Voices SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND RULES
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 give preference to, 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. If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQs, please email the STORYHIVE team at storyhive@telus.com.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
KEY DATES:
Jul 4 - Aug 4, 2022 STORYHIVE 2022 Voices open for Submissions (Intake closes at 11:59 pm PT on Aug 4th)
Week of Sept 8, 2022 Grant Recipients Announced
Oct 13, 2022 Workshop #1 (For all Project Leads)
Oct 18, 2022 Creator Workshop #2 (For all Project Leads)
Oct 20, 2022 Creator Workshop #3 (For all Project Leads)
Oct 25, 2022 Creator Workshop #4 (For all Project Leads)
Oct 27, 2022 Creator Workshop #5 (For all Project Leads)
Nov 1, 2022 Production Starts
Jan 17, 2023 Approval Cuts Episodes 1 - 2 Delivery
Feb 21, 2023 Episodes 1 - 2 Final Delivery
Mar 21, 2023 Episodes 3 - 4 Final Delivery
Apr 18, 2023 Episodes 5 - 6 Final Delivery
May 9, 2023 Episodes 7 - 8 Final Delivery
May 30, 2023 Episodes 9 - 10 Final Delivery
Summer 2023 Official program Launch on TELUS Optik TV and STORYHIVE YouTube channel
*Production cannot begin prior to Creator Workshop #1.
We are embarking on the 2022 STORYHIVE Voices 2.0. Your Passion, Your Community: STORYHIVE is funding up to 100 projects with $10,000, training, peer-mentorship and a community of support. Beginner creators are encouraged to apply. 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.
With STORYHIVE 2022 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, and 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
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
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
Community health and safety is our priority, and we ask you to take the necessary and responsible precautions to protect public health and the health and safety of everyone working on your STORYHIVE project. Please keep up to date with and follow all provincial and public health guidelines and recommendations. 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 on your team to do the same.
Resources for BC-based creators:
Creative BC’s Safety Guideline and Pandemic Production Guide
Resources for Alberta-based creators:
Government of Alberta’s Guidance for the Screen-based Production Industry
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 provide grants 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 participant (a “Project Lead”) must create and submit materials comprising a multimedia submission (a “Submission”) which contains, among other things, a pitch for a locally reflective project of a minimum of 6 episodes and a maximum of 10 episodes with a combined total runtime of at least 150 minutes (a “Project”) made by you. Following the process of Submission, Moderation and selection by a selection committee, a Project Lead could then be eligible to receive one of 100 available $10,000 grants (each, a “Grant"), (available to BC and Alberta residents only) from TELUS, to produce their proposed Project. Each of the 100 successful Projects will also receive distribution on select TELUS platforms, and the producing teams will receive training, peer-mentorship and a community of support. Project Leads will retain the rights, including copyright, to their finished Projects.
STORYHIVE will begin accepting Submissions for the STORYHIVE program on 12:00pm PT on July 4, 2022. The deadline for Submissions is 11:59pm PT on August 4, 2022. Each of the 100 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 dates are February 22, March 22, April 1, May 10 and May 31.
1. PROJECT GRANT (GRANT DESCRIPTION)
100 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 provided 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, Project Leads must meet all the eligibility requirements outlined below in sections 2.A to 2.I. and all Projects must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in sections 2.J to 2.U. The Project Lead 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 producers/filmmakers; previous experience is not required in order to be eligible. For more information on the role and responsibilities of the Project Lead, please see our FAQs.
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 program intake deadline date, May 30, 2022 at 11:59 pmPT;
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; Ardrossan; Beaumont; Blackfalds; Brooks; Calgary; Camrose; Canmore; Carstairs; Chestermere; Chestermere Lake; Clairmont; Coalhurst; Cochrane; Crossfield; De Winton; Dead Man’s Flats; Debolt; Devon; Didsbury; Donnelly; Drayton Valley; Dunmore; Edmonton; Edmonton Garrison; Edson; Evansburg; Fairview; Falher; Fort Mackay; Fort McMurray; Fort McMurray IR No. 174d; Grande Prairie; Heritage Pointe; High Prairie; High River; Hinton; Innisfail; Joussard; Kinuso; Lacombe; Lakeview; Langdon; Leduc; Leduc County; Lethbridge; Lloydminster; Marlboro; Mclennan; Medicine Hat; Milo; Namao; Nisku; Okotoks; Onoway; Peace River; Ponoka; Red Deer; Red Deer County; Redcliff; Rocky View County; Sangudo; SE Calgary; Shepard; Sherwood Park; Slave Lake; Springbrook; Spruce Grove; St. Albert; Stony Plain; Stony Plain IR 135; Strathmore; Sunset Point; Swan River 150e; Sylvan Lake; Val Quentin; Vegreville; Wabamun; Wetaskiwin;Whitecourt; Widewater; Wildwood
British Columbia:
Abbotsford; Agassiz; Aldergrove; Anmore; Annacis Island; Armstrong; Beaverly; Beecher Bay IR; Belcarra, Black Creek; Bowen Island; Bowser; Brackendale; Brentwood Bay; Britannia Beach; Burnaby; Campbell River; Canoe Creek IR; Central Saanich; Chemainus; Chilliwack; Chilliwack River Valley; Cobble Hill; Cole Bay IR; Coldstream; Columbia Valley; Colwood; Comox; Coquitlam; Courtenay; Cowichan Bay; Cranbrook; Creston; Cultus Lake, Cumberland; Cultus Lake; Davis Bay; Dawson Creek; Deep Creek; Delta; Denman Island; Duncan; Esquimalt; Faulder; Fort St. John; Fruitvale; Furry Creek; Gallagher Lake; Garden Bay; Garibaldi Highlands; Gibsons; Granthams Landing; Halfmoon Bay; Hatzic; Heffley Creek; Heriot Bay; Highlands; Hornby Island; Kamloops; Kelowna; Kitselas-Kulspai; Kitsumkalum Mountain; Ladner; Ladysmith; Lake Country; Lake Cowichan; Lake Errock; Langford; Langley; Lantzville; Lheidli T'Enneh; Lindell Beach; Lions Bay; Madeira Park; Maple Ridge; Merville; Metchosin; Mill Bay; Mission; Montrose; Mount Washington; Nanaimo; Nanoose Bay; Naramata; New Songhees IR; New Westminster; North Saanich; North Vancouver; Oak Bay; Oasis; Okanagan Falls; Okanagan IR; Oliver; Osoyoos; Oyama; Parksville; Peachland; Pender Harbour; Penelakut Island; Penticton; Penticton IR 2; Pitt Meadows; Popkum; Port Alberni; Port Coquitlam; Port Moody; Powell River; Priest’s Valley 6; Prince George; Qualicum Beach; Quathiaski Cove; Quinsam IR 12; Revelstoke; Richmond; Rivervale; Roberts Creek; Rosedale; Rossland; Saanich; Saanichton; Salmon Arm; Sechelt; Secret Cove; Selma Park; Shawnigan Lake; Sidney; Silver Creek; Sooke; Sooke Spallumcheen; Squamish; Summerland; Surrey; Terrace; Thornhill; Trail; Tsawwassen; Tsawwassen IR; T'Sou-Ke First Nation/Sooke IR; Union Bay; Vancouver; Vernon; Victoria; View Royal; Warfield; Westbank; West Vancouver; Whistler; White Rock; Williams Lake; 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. Be able to provide complete, clean, unencumbered chain of title for the Project, 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 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 this STORYHIVE program (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 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.Please note that funding for STORYHIVE programs is reserved for applicants with zero to limited experience. Applicants with extensive professional experience in the film industry or distribution deals outside TELUS STORYHIVE are ineligible.
I. Be prepared to:
a. Submit their Project for review on the following date:
Approval Cut for Episodes 1 - 2 - Jan 17, 2023
b. Complete technical delivery of the Project and receive TELUS’ acceptance and approval of the Program, in its discretion on or before:
Episode 1 - 2 Final Delivery - Feb 22, 2023;
Episode 3 - 4 Final Delivery - Mar 22, 2023;
Episode 5 - 6 Final Delivery - Apr 19, 2023;
Episode 7 - 8 Final Delivery - May 10, 2023; and
Episode 9 - 10 Final Delivery - May 31, 2023
c. 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:
The Project Lead currently resides in the community, town or city indicated on their application to the STORYHIVE program (the “Community of Residence”);
No less than 80% of the filming and production of the Project will take place in the Project Lead’s Community of Residence;
No less than 80% of the budget spent to produce the Project will be spent in the Project Lead’s Community of Residence;
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;
C. Present fair and balanced views, with all stakeholders on an issue fairly represented;
D. Have a self-identified female or non-binary person in at least one of the following key creative roles: Producer, Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor, Sound Designer, Composer, Production Designer;
E. 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);
F. 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;
G. Be a combined minimum running time of 150 minutes in length including any and all credits in a minimum of 6 episodes and a maximum of 10 episodes. A maximum combined running time length of no more than 180 minutes is recommended;
H. 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; additional 4K delivery (in addition to HD) is optional;
I. Not have been already shot and seeking completion funding. STORYHIVE will allow a maximum of 15% of a Project to have previously been shot;
J. Not have been previously licensed to a broadcaster or appeared on a major network;
K. 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
L. 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:
Religious or sectarian organizations (except where they represent non-denominational community and social support services);
Political organizations and candidates; and
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 the STORYHIVE program:
Fictional projects including mockumentaries
Music Videos
Animation
Video Game and other applications
Websites
Non-Canadian content
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
There is no fee to participate. Only one (1) Submission is allowed per Project Lead, though the Project Lead is permitted to be a part of other creative teams. 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:
Project Leads have from12:00 pm (NOON) PT July 4, 2022 until 11:59 pm PT August 4, 2022 to complete their Submission (i.e. the multimedia submission/pitch package) on STORYHIVE.com.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
Project Page Information:
The following Submission materials for your proposed Project will be visible to the public on your Project Page on the Website (once a successful Project has been funded a Grant):
Project Title (text field, maximum 60 characters)
Genre Documentary (pre-selected)
Logline (text field, maximum 120 characters)
Synopsis (text field, maximum 800 characters)
Projected Runtime (enter minutes; minimum 150 minutes total, recommended maximum 180)
Inclusion Statement (text field, maximum 500 characters)
60 Second Pitch Video - max 60 second pitch video (share a public YouTube link)
Additional Project Details:
The following Submission materials will be reviewed by a selection committee and STORYHIVE team. They will not be available to the public.
Phone Number
Address
Optional (Social Media)
Facebook, LinkedIn, IMDb, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok
Where did you hear about this program? (dropdown menu)
Community Relevancy (text field, maximum 1000 characters)
Why you? (text field, maximum 1000 characters)
How are you going to tell the story? (text field, maximum 1000 characters)
Locations (text field)
Potential Locations (text field, maximum 500 characters)
Project Lead Experience (dropdown)
Production Experience: (text field, maximum 500 characters)
Accessibility Accommodations (text field, maximum 500 characters)
Key Role Requirements (check box)
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 the TELUS STORYHIVE Submission Release Agreement.
MODERATION
Once the intake period closes at 11:59 pm PT on August 4, 2022, 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 the STORYHIVE program.
STEP 3: SELECTED + PRODUCE:
Successful Projects will be announced the week of September 8, 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:
The Project Lead must provide complete, clean, unencumbered chain of title for the Project, including, but not limited to, 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. The Project Lead must submit to TELUS, for its review, the following:
3. Approval Cut for Episodes 1 - 2 - Jan 17, 2023;
4. Complete technical delivery of the Project and receive TELUS’ acceptance and approval of the Program, in its discretion on or before (unless otherwise agreed) and receive TELUS’ acceptance and approval of the Project, in TELUS’ sole discretion; and:
Episode 1 - 2 Final Delivery - Feb 22, 2023;
Episode 3 - 4 Final Delivery - Mar 22, 2023;
Episode 5 - 6 Final Delivery - Apr 19, 2023;
Episode 7 - 8 Final Delivery - May 10, 2023; and
Episode 9 - 10 Final Delivery - May 31, 2023
5. 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:
Projects in the STORYHIVE program may be made available on TELUS Platforms, community screenings, various social media channels and distributed by partners of TELUS STORYHIVE.
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 the STORYHIVE program, 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 this STORYHIVE program and future STORYHIVE programs.
REFUSAL OF A GRANT
The refusal by a potential or declared recipient of a Grant to accept the Grant funded 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 the STORYHIVE program. 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 the STORYHIVE program. 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 program 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 the STORYHIVE program 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 Project page and 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 this STORYHIVE program, 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 this STORYHIVE program. 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 this STORYHIVE program 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 this STORYHIVE program, 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 this STORYHIVE program are final and binding.
If you have any questions regarding 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