Sedai Youth Creator Lab: Accepting applications from Ontario youth
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Are you enthusiastic about preserving stories for future generations? Do you adore sharing stories that reflect human experience and connection? Does making history and culture accessible excite you? The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) is seeking storytellers, historians, creators, and researchers.
The JCCC invites applications from youth (18 – 29 yrs) interested in Japanese Canadian history and culture to apply to be one of six (6) participants in the Sedai Youth Creator Lab.
Participants will work in pairs and be trained to conduct oral histories with people of Japanese descent living in Canada. They will be responsible for activating these oral histories into short documentaries, with support from mentors, professional filmmakers, and JCCC staff.
*Workshops and trainings will be conducted in English. However, individuals with Japanese fluency are encouraged to apply.
Timeline:
- Application deadline March 31, 2026
- In person training at the JCCC May 3 and June 7, 2026
- Program dates May 3 – November 15, 2026
- Public presentation December, 2026
Who:
- Youth (18 – 29) with an interest in Nikkei history and culture
- Strong communication skills and respect for others, specifically elders
- Creativity and interest in audio visual storytelling and media production
- Self-starters able to work independently and in a team
- Preference given to self-identified Japanese Canadians, Nikkei or other marginalized groups
- Must be within commuting distance of the Greater Toronto Area, and attend in-person training at JCCC on the specified dates
What will be provided:
- Training and mentorship on oral history interviewing and short documentary production
- Professional support for shooting and editing final video
- Regular feedback sessions for guidance throughout the process
- $3,000 honoraria
Your responsibilities:
- Able to commit to the duration of the project (May to December)
- Able to commit 5 – 7 hours per week on a flexible schedule (time per week will fluctuate as needed)
- Collaborating with team members (mentors, staff, partners)
- Meeting deadlines for each stage of production
- Interviewing Nikkei people in a respectful way
- Commitment, creativity, and flexibility
Apply now: www.jccc.on.ca/sedaiyouthcreatorlab
Questions: Karen Suzuki karens@jccc.on.ca
We gratefully acknowledge support from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.