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Future Indigenous Filmmakers:
4 FREE PROGRAMS
MAY 19 - JUNE 21, 2025
MAKE YOUR OWN FILM
CERTIFICATIONS
GIVEAWAYS & AWARDS
PROFESSIONAL GEAR INCLUDED
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
PROMOTION & DISTRIBUTION
ONGOING MENTORSHIP
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
The Empowered Filmmaker is an indigenous-focused film program designed to take individuals with no prior knowledge in filmmaking and shape them into self-sufficient, nimble and powerful media content creators.
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About
Agenda
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! SPACES LIMITED.
APPLY NOW
IN 2024 WE TRAINED 100 FILMMAKERS AND PRODUCED 35 FILMS!
ABOUT
AGENDA
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
Introductions & Program Overview
Empowered Filmmaker 101
Production Structure/Filmmaking Styles
Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Establishing our Production Teams
Brainstorming & Pitch Development
Script/Storyboard Creation
Interview Technique/Messaging Workshop
Technical Shooting with 4K Gimbals
Camera Movement Workshop
Video Production Workflow
On Location Filming
Importing and Organizing Footage
Editing Sequences in Adobe Premiere
Post-Production Techniques
Titles & Sound Design
Finalizing and Exporting our Films
Funding Opportunities and Distribution
Film Festival & Awards Ceremony
Official Certifications & Prizes
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Future Indigenous Filmmakers.
Founded in 2017, Empowered Filmmaker has now trained more than 545 indigenous filmmakers and produced more than 180 films across BC and Alberta. Empowered Filmmaker is a 5-day intensive, all-inclusive film program with all equipment and training provided. Our participants apply with a concept and have a finished film at the completion of the program which is showcased at our very own community film festival and awards ceremony. No experience is necessary to apply. There is no cost to participants.
We believe in lifting up indigenous voices through positive storytelling. Our goal is to build an army of indigenous filmmakers to tell the stories that matter.
This program is supported by TELUS STORYHIVE & VoVo Productions.
Completed films will be made available on TELUS Optik TV® On Demand. Official certifications, awards and special prizes are included as well as access to grants and ongoing professional opportunities.
AGENDA
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
Introductions & Program Overview
Empowered Filmmaker 101
Production Structure/Filmmaking Styles
Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Establishing our Production Teams
Brainstorming & Pitch Development
Script/Storyboard Creation
Interview Technique/Messaging Workshop
Technical Shooting with 4K Gimbals
Camera Movement Workshop
Video Productions Workflow
On Location Filming
Importing and Organizing Footage
Editing Sequences in Adobe Premiere
Post-Production Techniques
Titles & Sound Design
Finalizing and Exporting our Films
Funding Opportunities and Distribution
Film Festival & Awards Ceremony
Official Certifications & Prizes
WE HAVE TRAINED OVER
545+ INDIVIDUALS to
BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, EMPOWERED FILMMAKERS.
MEET THE TEAM
Farhan Umedaly
Lead Instructor
Skeena Bobeena
Emotional Support Dog
Team
ABOUT TELUS STORYHIVE
TELUS STORYHIVE has supported thousands of local content creators across B.C. and Alberta since 2013, providing over $59 million in production funding and creating a safe space for storytellers to hone their skills and bring the projects they care about to life. The team is proud to help empower diverse emerging content creators to tell stories that reflect their communities and culture. For more information, visit https://www.storyhive.com/
IN our program, we honour participants who lift up others and are dedicated to positive change.
Gallery
IN THE MEDIA:
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
MICHELLE JONES
Secwepemc & Syilx Nation
The Empowered Filmmakers
Masterclass Workshop with Farhan was absolutely necessary and valuable not only to me as an Indigenous woman and mother, to all those that attended but even more importantly to our peoples collectively.
JANICE ANTOINE
Lower Nicola Indian Band
Our group went from idea concept, storyboarding, shooting, editing and post production, daunting for a newbie. However, our diverse group experienced the thrill of completing our short film.
TRENT MOREAS
Skidegate Band Council
We need to create a visual platform to assist youth to be more informed about choosing to live healthy, drug-free lives… We need to strengthen the youth with the power to achieve their own social awareness.
Testimonials
FILMS
All Videos
MAP
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