The Hudson Valley’s first video-streaming application officially launched on June 6, thanks to local media company HUDSY.

The app will help local creatives share meaningful and entertaining video content that was either shot in or focuses on the Hudson Valley. Diverse local characters, the region’s rich history and culture, plus the beauty of the Hudson Valley are all celebrated on this new platform. It features content on food, arts, music, activism, documentaries, and much more.

“There’s no reason the Hudson Valley can’t be well-known for a sweeping creative movement that offers a more equitable future for local artists,” said Jesse Brown, a HUDSY co-founder. “The HUDSY team is building upon a values- and integrity-driven movement in the Hudson Valley and believes in strength in numbers. We are stronger when we work together and it's one way to build something that can take some of the attention away from the larger platforms and refocus it on our local communities where it's needed.”

HUDSY hopes to empower community storytellers to produce relevant and compelling video content about everyday life in the region through the HUDSY App, according to the company’s mission statement. The HUDSY team and digital streaming platform is cooperatively owned and delivered by a small group of Hudson Valley locals including Brown, Angela Gates Fonseca, Laura Kandel, and Shawn Strong.

“A big part of our platform’s mission is to empower community storytellers to produce and share the honest experiences of life in our region, and that means identifying and harnessing creatives from all areas of the Hudson Valley,” said Fonseca.

The purpose of the app is twofold: to compile the existing pool of local content and create a diverse “HUDSY Originals” library featuring an array of local creators. The chosen stories focus on regionally relevant topics including shows about farmers and local food systems, local makers, dancers, musicians, and artists. Other content shines a light on important issues and social justice.

HUDSY also created an apprenticeship program to invite motivated filmmakers into a paid, part-time, learning experience that will prepare them for a career in media production. Additionally, HUDSY created the “Community Content Fund” as a source of start-up money for local projects in need of funding.

For more information on HUDSY, including appearances at upcoming regional events, visit hudsy.tv.