This article is sponsored by TELUS STORYHIVE.
Wesley Chan of Wong Fu Productions shares his advice for Pan-Asian storytellers to launch the inaugural TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, inspiring new and emerging filmmakers to apply for $20,000 (CAD) in funding, training, mentorship and distribution.
Since 2003, Wong Fu Productions have been pioneers in diverse storytelling on screen. Their films have influenced the representation of Pan-Asian experiences for generations of creatives, storytellers and fans.
Although mostly rooted in the Asian American experience, over the years, their projects have included several notable on-screen talents including Canadians such as Simu Liu and Linda Dong (also known as Leenda Dong). The stories they’ve told have transcended borders into Canada and across the globe.
Wong Fu Productions’ co-founder, Wesley Chan recently shared more about his filmmaking journey and future with Cold Tea Collective’s Founder and CEO, Natasha Jung.
Learn more about Chan’s experience and outlook and watch the full chat below.
The evolution of independent filmmaking from the early days of Wong Fu Productions to today
Wong Fu Productions first started producing films in 2003 – five years before the launch of YouTube. Their films were first featured on that very platform, Vimeo and more. But starting out, Wesley Chan humbly acknowledges that they didn’t know what they were doing.
“We were college kids that had a hobby making videos for fun… Now, we have a small company that’s working with major brands and talent, and recognized by you guys,” says Chan.
Chan also highlights the support he wished Wong Fu Productions had when they first started out: funding, training, mentorship and a community. Fast forward to 2025 – more than 20 years since their first production – Chan partnered with TELUS STORYHIVE, to launch its first-ever Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition.
The program is for storytellers in B.C. and Alberta of Pan-Asian descent and no filmmaking experience is required, as selected projects will receive $20,000 in production funding, training, professional mentorship (provided by the National Screen Institute) and distribution support.
Learn more about the TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition here. Apply by May 8, 2025.
See also: Wong Fu and Bopomofo’s Phil Wang: Building things that last
Authenticity in filmmaking
The stories of Wesley Chan as a Chinese American filmmaker come from a place of authenticity. Chan and Wong Fu Productions have real conversations and listen to others, plus their team, to bring real, authentic stories to film format.
For Chan, representation on screen looks different from when he was growing up. Chan says, “Brands and companies are trying to reach and tell authentic stories… When I was growing up, no one cared about getting the look of an Asian house right. We all knew what it looked like, but we would never see it. Now that there’s attention to that on screen, it’s very validating. Representation is as simple as that – even without seeing your own face, that’s how powerful it is.”
When asked what’s your mindset around showing versus telling (over-explaining) in cultural storytelling, Chan’s advice is to value perspective. “My perspective is the most valuable thing I can give someone. If someone shares theirs with me, I take it as the highest thing they can share because no one else will have that experience that led to their perspective… as long as it comes from you and it’s true to you, it’s a Pan-Asian story. It’s up to the viewers as to how they interpret it,” he shares.
Wesley Chan’s mindset on independent filmmaking
From feature films, web series and shorts, Chan encourages all filmmakers and storytellers to find reward in the challenges of independent filmmaking.
“In terms of the individual creative struggles and challenges, those are always going to be there. We can’t talk about a finish line as if we’ll get to a finish line… There’s always a new goal or challenge to take on: improvement. When you don’t have to [get to a] finish line as if it’s one thing, it becomes a lot more enjoyable to be in that kind of challenge.”
Looking towards the future of his creative journey, Chan plans to shift his focus to independently exploring his own creative endeavours in filmmaking, industrial design and graphic arts.
Apply for the TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition by May 8, 2025
New and emerging Pan-Asian filmmakers in B.C. and Alberta are eligible to apply for the first-ever TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition, a program designed to help empower the next generation of Pan-Asian storytellers
Natasha Jung was a previous recipient of STORYHIVE funding to create the docuseries, Making It, so the announcement of this opportunity for more creatives to receive support and guidance is exciting.
Selected projects will receive $20,000 in production funding, training, professional mentorship (provided by theNational Screen Institute) to produce a narrative short film or documentary.
When it’s time to go live, projects will be distributed to an audience size of over 1 million viewers on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+ and over 162,000 subscribers on STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
STORYHIVE encourages both new and past eligible STORYHIVE applicants and alumni of Pan-Asian heritage to apply for the program. Being of Pan-Asian descent includes those whose ancestral and cultural heritage comes from all parts of the continent of Asia. Further, no film production experience is required.
Your Story, Your Narrative, Honouring Pan-Asian Heritage. Learn more by reviewing the Submission Rules & FAQ, watching the Ask Us Anything event recording and applying at STORYHIVE.com/apply by May 8, 2025.
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