Supporting documentary filmmakers to tell stories from B.C. and Alberta
Get to know us
We're always on the look out for established documentarians who are passionate about the power of local storytelling. Please read our detailed Producer & Pitch Submission Guidelines to learn more about our program and how to submit a pitch.
9 years
supporting local productions since 2014
$24M+
investing into local stories and filmmakers
300+
documentaries and docuseries episodes
What we do
We support the production of compelling, locally reflective, social purpose documentaries and documentary series that connect established, independent filmmakers in B.C. and Alberta from diverse identities and communities to local and global audiences. We prioritize representation in front of and behind the camera.
Learn more in our Producer Guidelines.
Where we do it
Our stories have global resonance, but they start close to home. All the stories we support are locally reflective of and relevant to communities across British Columbia and Alberta.
We provide funding in 15 communities across these two provinces.
What we fund
We have specific subject areas of interest connected to TELUS’ commitment to positive social impact in our communities. TELUS is interested in telling stories that fall within the following social impact categories:
Health and Well-being
Flourishing Communities
Environment/Sustainability
Connectivity/Technology
Food Systems and Security
We license a variety of formats including short, mid-length and feature documentaries, as well as short format documentary series.
Who we are
The TELUS original team is a group of people who are passionate about storytelling and represent decades of experience in the screen based industries.
Leah Camenzind, Manager & Managing Production Executive
Christina Willings, Senior Program Manager & Senior Production Executive
Ken Tsui, Production Executive
Selina Crammond, Production Executive
When we accept pitches
TELUS originals accepts pitches for documentary production funding during an annual pitch intake window. Reviewing, evaluating and making greenlit decisions once annually provides producers with the most possible time for pre-, pro- and post-pro, while adhering to our CRTC conditions of license.
Pitch Intake Window
2023
August 15 - October 15, 2023
Get started
Review our Producer Guidelines
Review the Production Guidelines to determine whether your production is in accordance with the paramenters of our fund.
Review our Pitch Submission Guidelines
Review the Submission Guidelines to understand the expectations of pitching to TELUS originals.
Complete the Pitch Submission Release form
Read and sign the Pitch Submission Release Form. The signed form is required to submit a pitch.
Submit a Pitch
The Pitch Intake Window is open from August 15, 2023 to October 15, 2023 at 11:59pm PST. Production funding for the films greenlit during this intake window will be available in March 2024. Films licensed during this Window will deliver on or before June 30, 2025. If you require accessibility accommodation to submit a pitch, please email us at telusoriginals@telus.com by September 10, 2023.
