Two Red Deer women have been selected for Telus STORYHIVE grants worth $20,000.
Each are participating in the annual film-making project as part of its Black Creators Edition.
The project saw 30 emerging Black creators from across the country create pitches and then be selected to produce their film.
Also chosen for the grant was Love Nwigwe, whose film entitled ‘I Can’t Breathe’ — George Floyd’s last words — will tackle the issue of racial discrimination in North America.
“It doesn’t matter your profession, your age, anywhere you go, you’re going to find racism and racial discrimination. My movie will be a true-life story and different people will be telling their stories, “says Nwigwe, who is originally from Nigeria.
“The Black Creators Edition of STORYHIVE is very important for me. Nobody has given me a platform before to share my story or share the stories of people who are Black. Black voices are not properly represented on Canadian film screens.”
A mother of four, Nwigwe says Black folks getting the chance to utilize these grants can bring hope to all.
“When we look at the screen, it’s always mostly white people that we see. And when people are discriminated against, they are also more likely to do the same to others. I want my film to therefore bring healing to people. I hope my film and others will make a difference in reducing racial discrimination,” she says.
“But also, it should show that as Black people, we are Canadians. We live here, we’re trained here, we’re adding to the economy and to society, and we are building. I’d like the film to be something that helps people feel accepted and be given more liberty to create in the land we call home.”
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