5 Takeaways From the TELUS STORYHIVE Voices 2026 Pitches (Downloadable Pitch Analysis Report)
Posted on June 4, 2026
The TELUS STORYHIVE Voices 2026 program received 384 pitch submissions from digital content creators across British Columbia and Alberta, reflecting a vibrant and diverse cross-section of emerging creators.
The TELUS STORYHIVE Voices program provides production funding, training, a community support and distribution opportunities for digital content creators to launch and grow original video series. Creators begin with a six-episode season and can apply for renewal for up to five seasons, with each renewal requiring additional episodes and expanded deliverables. This structure helps create a meaningful pathway for emerging creators to develop their craft, strengthen audience engagement and build long-term creative momentum.
This year’s intake highlights the growing role of episodic nonfiction storytelling as a platform for documenting lived experience, personal narratives, cultural identity and community connection.
Across the submissions, digital content creators explored themes ranging from family and intergenerational relationships to local creative communities, entrepreneurship and place-based storytelling, which tells us that there is a strong interest in stories that feel personal, grounded and focused on local communities.
Beyond individual projects, the 2026 intake also offers a meaningful snapshot of how emerging creators are approaching storytelling today, including the formats they’re using, the perspectives they’re prioritizing and the ways they’re building connections with audiences through digital video.
After reviewing the submissions, here are five storytelling themes that emerged across the intake.
1. Community and culture
Community and culture accounted for 68% of submissions. Creators were drawn to stories about cultural heritage, lived experience, belonging and community connection, with many projects highlighting underrepresented voices and perspectives. Family and intergenerational relationships represented a strong storytelling theme.
2. Arts and Creativity
Half of the submissions (50%) focused on arts, creativity and creative practice. From local artists and performers to makers and storytellers, creators showed strong interest in documenting the people, spaces and processes behind creative work, as well as the communities that help it thrive.
3. Place-based and Community Stories
Place played an important role in 35% of submissions, with many creators grounding their stories in neighbourhoods, local communities and regional experiences across B.C. and Alberta. These projects explored how the environment, shared spaces and local identity shape everyday life.
4. Work and Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship, work and creative career journeys appeared in 37% of submissions. Many creators explored themes of building something meaningful, whether through small businesses, passion projects or creative careers.
5. Youth, Learning and New Creative Tools
Youth, learning and mentorship appeared in 38% of submissions, reflecting a strong interest in sharing knowledge, experiences and personal growth. The intake also showed growing use of AI as a creative support tool, with many applicants using it to help brainstorm ideas, organize projects and streamline their workflow.
Want to dive deeper into the data and themes behind the 384 submissions?
We’ve created a downloadable Pitch Analysis Report that offers further insight into the trends, themes and takeaways behind this Voices program intake.
[Download the report here]
The strong submissions we received for the Voices 2026 program provide a clear view into how emerging digital content creators across British Columbia and Alberta are approaching episodic nonfiction storytelling with a local, community focus.
The intake reflects a creator community that is highly diverse, strongly community-oriented, early in their creative journey and motivated to share lived experience and cultural narratives.
Stay tuned on the STORYHIVE blog as we announce the selected Voices digital content creators on June 10, 2026!