Rolling out the red carpet for a decade of storytelling with TELUS originals
Cameron ZingerLocal Content Director, STORYHIVE
Storytelling has always been the heartbeat of every culture, shaping ideas and identities. For the last decade, TELUS originals has been a driving force in bringing these stories to life, championing Canadian and Indigenous filmmakers with the support they need to tell stories that matter. As Director of the TELUS Local Content team and Executive in Charge of Production for TELUS originals over the last 5 years, I've had the privilege of witnessing how our documentaries and docuseries from across B.C. and Alberta have resonated with audiences worldwide, sparking conversations and inspiring change in ways that transcend the screen.
Over these ten remarkable years, we've invested more than $27 million in independent Canadian and Indigenous filmmaking, transforming the brand from a promising initiative into a key player in Western Canada's film production landscape. Each investment represents our commitment to authentic storytelling and our dedication to raising the bar for quality and impact in our communities.
This commitment to exceptional storytelling was beautifully illustrated earlier this year at Hot Docs, during the screening of our TELUS original film, Ari's Theme. The documentary follows composer Ari Kinarthy, who lives with type-2 spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition that causes muscle deterioration that greatly challenges his creative pursuits. Despite these obstacles, Ari embarks on an ambitious journey to compose a piece inspired by his life's most treasured moments. Watching the film on the big screen, feeling the raw emotion of both the story and score, I was truly touched and inspired. At that moment, I knew this powerful narrative deserved an even more extraordinary presentation.
That vision became a reality when Ari's Theme was selected as the opening film at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival. Drawing on TELUS' long-standing relationship with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – a partnership I had previously managed – we created something truly magical. On opening night, eight VSO members performed parts of Ari's score live during the screening, transforming an already powerful film into an unforgettable cinematic experience. It was incredibly moving to witness the impact TELUS originals had helped create for Ari, the filmmakers Nathan Drillot and Jeff Petry, and the audience – a sold-out crowd of 600 with three standing ovations to end the night. The evening was particularly meaningful for me, uniting my passions for film, music and immersive events while demonstrating how storytelling can create moments that bring communities together in profound ways.
As we look to the future, I'm filled with excitement about the endless possibilities ahead. TELUS originals remains dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, preserving cultural narratives and creating content that connects communities. We will continue to be a driving force in the industry, ensuring that the diversity of Canadian and Indigenous stories is not just told, but celebrated on a global stage.
I invite you to reflect on this incredible journey with the TELUS originals team — and to the many diverse stories yet to be told.
Check out our sizzle reel to commemorate a decade of social purpose storytelling!
10 facts for 10 years
Since 2014, TELUS originals has invested over $27 million to bring stories from B.C. and Alberta to life.
We’ve supported over 350 Canadian and Indigenous documentaries and docuseries episodes.
In 2023-2024, Indigenous filmmakers made up 12% of TELUS originals project roster, with 18% of funding committed to Indigenous-led projects.
In 2023, 14 TELUS original films were screened at over 50 festivals and won 35 awards.
Ari’s Theme, a documentary about a composer with a rare genetic condition, opened the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival accompanied with a once-in-a-lifetime live score by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Handle with Care: The Legend of The Notic Streetball Crew, which explores race, rejection, self expression and brotherhood, was selected by top-tier film festivals, distributed globally, screened in Canadian schools and supported by celebrity executive producers.
Before the Sun: Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi, an intimate portrait of Logan Red Crow (Siksika) preparing for a dangerous bareback horse race, has won 23 awards, screened at 43 festivals and has been versioned into Blackfoot.
The Secret Society, which shines a light on the hidden and unacknowledged women’s health crisis of assisted reproduction, was screened in the Canadian Senate in 2022 to support proposed changes to the Assisted Reproduction Act.
Dark Cloud, a documentary on the toll of cyberbullying and digital antagonism, has supported Carol Todd’s global advocacy on cyberbullying and received over 1.1M views.
Painkiller, which raises awareness of the opioid epidemic, screened across Canada and received over 2.8M views.
Whether you’re a documentary fan or a filmmaker yourself, follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with the latest TELUS original releases as well as updates on our annual pitch intake window! Watch more TELUS originals on Optik TV channel 8, Stream+ and online at watch.telusoriginals.com.
Looking forward to another decade of impactful storytelling with TELUS originals!