2ND ANNUAL STORY SLAM

Open Submissions have closed

We've extended the deadline to April 4, 2021! Given the rise in Asian American hate crimes we want to give you this platform and space to share your stories, feelings and activism. #StopAsianHate

Last year's inaugural event captivated over 1,200 live viewers! After a successful launch in May 2020 (thanks to all of you) we are back for another year of incredible storytelling. And we want to hear your story!

What is the VBP Story Slam?

The VBP story slam is an engaging live event that provides a platform and an opportunity for storytellers to share their perspective and personal stories around a specified 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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What does Mỹ Việt mean?

Mỹ (American) Việt (Vietnamese) is the literal translation in Vietnamese. This is an opportunity to share your story on the Vietnamese American experience.

What is this year's theme?

2020, A year unlike any other.
A global pandemic has completely changed our everyday lives, an election year has divided our country, there has been unprecedented racism against Asians, and continued police violence against Black Americans spurred the largest nationwide wave of protests. We've also seen local communities uniting, new friendships forging (even if virtually), and new hobbies and hidden talents emerging. For the 2021 Story Slam event we are launching another ‘call for submissions’ for people to share how 2020 has changed them.

Deadline Extended to April 4

How will it work?

Participants can submit a video (no longer than three minutes), that tells a story. Up to eight Storytellers will be invited to share their videos in a live-stream virtual event hosted by Vietnamese Boat People. Each selected storyteller will be interviewed live by host Tracey Nguyen Mang and their submission videos will stream globally during the event!

Can I view past Story Slams?
Yes! Click here to view the featured stories from 2020.

Support

This year's event is made possible with the support of PRX and the Google Podcasts creator program. And thank you to our Community Partners for helping to promote the story slam and for their work in amplifying voices from the Asian and Pacific Islander community. If you'd like to support this event, please contact megan@vietnameseboatpeople.org

SUBMIT A STORY TODAY!

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REQUIREMENTS

Stories must reflect a real life experience. 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.

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 must accompany the submission. Click here to view the selected stories from last year's event.

PRIZES

Up to eight stories will be selected for the curated event and each Storyteller will receive $100. They can also choose to have us donate the funds to a favorite charity or local business on their behalf.

EVENT DATE

HOW TO ENTER

All submissions must be entered by 11:59 pm ET on April 4, 2021.

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.

The virtual event will be live-streamed on Facebook on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7:00pm ET.

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

FAQs

All submissions must be entered by 11:59 pm ET on April 4, 2021.

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.

The virtual event will be live-streamed on Facebook on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7:00pm ET.

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 last year's event.

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

What have you seen, learned or acted on differently as a Vietnamese American because of COVID-19?
How has the political divide in the 2020 Presidential election impacted your identity or your relationships?
What has given you comfort and hope during this time? What is the biggest way your life has changed because of the pandemic?
How have the events of 2020 deepened your connection or created further divide in your Vietnamese heritage and family?

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.

Can my submission be over 3 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.

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 $100 prize is per submission not per person.