Everyone has a story to tell
Everyone has a story to tell
It's better than drama, it's better than comedy, it's real life.
It's better than drama, it's better than comedy, it's real life.
Student Story Slam 2024
We are thrilled to announce the 5th annual Student Story Slam - a storytelling competition for secondary school students in Hong Kong.
Organized in collaboration with the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and their Young Readers Festival.
This competition offers students a public speaking experience to boost creativity and build presentation skills.
The event will be held in English, but students will be judged on their story not than their English proficiency.
This year's theme is Belonging
Get inspired by a place or a person that makes you feel like you belong. Bring out your stories about passions that keep pulling you, or a club that welcomes you. Search for stories about your fear of being different or stories about accepting yourself or others.
Pick a memory of something that shaped your identity and tell us your story.
Entries close on 14th January 2024. Submit your stories HERE.
Everyone has a story to tell. We can't wait to hear yours!
Who can join
All secondary school students in Hong Kong are invited.
- Do you like telling stories and want to perform at an international festival? 🎤
- Or perhaps you've never done public speaking but want to challenge yourself? 🎯
- Or maybe you're looking for a new creative outlet? 🌟
Then this competition is for you!
What kind of story
Your story must be a true story from your own life.
- Tell us a story about something that has happend to you. The main character of the story must be you.
- It should be between 3-5 minutes long.
- It should be related to the theme 'Belonging'. You're free to interepret the theme creatively.
You should be the main character.
Why it's exciting
There is something in it for everyone!
- All participants will receive useful feedback from experienced coaches at Hong Kong Stories.
- Finalists will showcase their talents and compete at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival.
- Finalists will recieve certificates and their stories will be broadcasted on our popular international podcast*
- Winners will be awarded with prizes.
*subject to your guardian's approval
How to join
Submit an audio recording of your story using this form
- Deadline for submission is 14th January 2024.📅
- You'll find tips for writing and recording a great story in the section below. 📖
- For ideas and inspiration, scroll further down to checkout stories by finalists from previous years.💡
- Spread the Word: Share this announcement with your friends, classmates, and teachers. Let's inspire a new generation of storytellers! 🗣️
- Email us at storieshongkong@gmail.com if you have any questions.
How to write your story
Your story does not need to be funny, or tragic or describe a major life change. It can be about small things that make us human. A meaningful encounter with a friend or stranger on the school bus. A time when you went out of your way to make someone feel included or when someone else made you feel special.
1Get Inspired
Dig your memories for moments that matter to you.
Talk your friends and family to hear their stories.
Hear stories from our previous finalists in the section below.
2Define your story
Stories have a structure.
A beginning,
a middle,
and an end.
Something changes in every story, the character shows growth.
3Edit, edit, edit!
Remove details that don't add to the central idea and the plot of your story.
Keep it simple.
Keep it about you!
4Rehearse
Say it out loud. Build pauses into the narration to help the listener stay with you or to emphasize an important moment. Speed up your pace to build excitement during the story.
Student Story Slam on our podcast
All the finalists will have the option of being included in the Hong Kong Stories Podcast, which is listened to all over the world.
For ideas and inspiration, check out the stories by finalists from previous years below.
Stories by the 2022 finalists:
“A Great Honour” by Sam, “Surgical Christmas” by Hayley and “Cruel Light” by Chloe
“Grandmother” by Kristen and “Time Gained” by Rex
"Transformation" by Nathan, "Longing" by Ariane, and "Dearest Diary" by Christy
Stories by the 2020 finalists:
"Speed" by Violet and "Timing" by Bobo
"Real or Fake" by Savio and "Lost" by Lorelei
"Secondhand" by Nabila and "Sister" by Karis
"Anticipation" by Harper and "Planning" by Manoela
Stories by the 2019 finalists:
“Competition” by Mehrosh and “Class Trip” by Samson
“Got Talent?” by Hilda and “Saudade” by Manoela
“Yellow” by Julian and “Knock, Knock” by Matthew
Find more tips on discovering and writing stories here
© 2017