What is a Story Slam?

The Story Slam hosted by Vietnamese Boat People, is an engaging live event that provides a platform and an opportunity for storytellers to share their perspective and personal stories around a specific theme. Storytellers have an allotted amount of time to share their stories using their preferred medium and format such as monologues, theatrical performances, music, art, or poetry. Click here for more. 

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How will it work? 

Participants can submit a video (no longer than three minutes), that tells a story. Five Storytellers will be invited to share their videos in a live-stream virtual event hosted by Vietnamese Boat People. Each selected storyteller will have their submission videos stream globally during the event and an opportunity to share their background, story and inspirations behind the piece.

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Why should I participate? 

If you have a story to share or have always wanted to be a part of a community-based event to celebrate our Vietnamese history, heritage and experiences then you should participate! It's an opportunity to explore your own narrative and have it showcased in front of a live global audience and get published on the Vietnamese Boat People podcast. Plus there is a $300 cash prize and a swag bag of goodies if you are selected. And not to mention, bragging rights to your friends and family! Check out what previous participants have to say.

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How can I help support the event?
This is a community-driven storytelling event and we would love your help to promote awareness! Please feel free to repost any of the annoucements on our social media accounts. You can also access the press kit here and forward them within your network. This event does depend on the support of sponsors and community partners. If you are interested in making a monetary contribution to sponsor this event, please contact us for details. VBP is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

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What are the requirements to submit a story? 

Stories must reflect a real life experience related to the annual theme. It can be your own, or you can retell a story about someone else you know. The tone of the story can vary, tragic or funny, heavy or light, history or current. Video styles may vary and creativity is encouraged. Submissions can include interviews conducted by the storyteller, photos, props, music, etc.

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This virtual event will be open to the public to attend. All entries should be mostly in English. Other languages can be used but translation subtitles should accompany the submission. Click here to view the selected stories from previous years.

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How do I submit? 

All submissions must be entered by 11:59 pm ET on April 4, 2022.

• There is no fee to enter. You must be at least 18 years old. By submitting an entry, you agree to these terms and conditions.

• To enter, please submit a video no longer than three minutes. Feel free to use interviews, photos, music, etc. Submissions over three minutes long will not be considered.  

• Submit using this Google Form link.

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When will the Event be held? 

The virtual event will be live-streamed on Facebook on Wednesdayy, May 4, 2022 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30 pm PT

Selected Storytellers must be available to appear on the live event to be considered. The event will be open to the public online. If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out to Tricia Vuong at tricia@vietnameseboatpeople.org.

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What types of stories are you looking for? 

We are looking for stories that share a Vietnamese American experience aligned to this year's theme. Below are some ideas to help prompt your thinking. These are ideas only and we want you to take this opportunity to share a story that is meaningful to you. 

Click here to view the selected stories from previous years.

 

Your story does NOT need to answer one of these questions, but these can be used as a guiding point:

2022 Theme: 'Lost & Found'
 

• Loss of a loved one close to you 

• Loss of someone who had influence, whether good or bad

• Misplaced or destroyed objects or places that was meaningful to you

• Lost of community, language, culture, sense of belonging or self-identity 

 

Or however else you may interpret this theme, we encourage storytellers to express, create and share your Loss & Found journey. 

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Can I apply again if I submitted in previous years?

If you submitted stories in previous years and was not selected, we encourage you to re-apply! To make space for other storytellers, we are limiting submissions to only those that were not selected in previous events. 

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Can my submission be over three minutes long? 

We encourage you to stay within the time limit of your video submission. During the review process priority will be given to submissions that have followed the guidelines.  

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Can I partner with a group or another person on my submission? 

Yes, you can partner on a submission. Please note that if selected, the $300 prize is per submission not per person.