The Talent League is a dynamic idea accelerator that transforms passion into projects designed to inspire, educate, and challenge global perspectives. By nurturing creativity and innovation, the program empowers young creators to turn their bold visions into reality.
For this fourth edition of Talent League, we caught up with team representatives from Dolphin Dude —The Movie (Ashoke Mohanraj), Children of the Nile (Tina Obo), and Through Your Eyes (Ana Carreira) to learn about their unique visions, versatile approaches to creativity, and how the program’s mentorships are coming along for these finalists.
The Creative Process: Clarifying the Heart of the Story
Great ideas often emerge from a spark — an inspiration drawn from personal experiences and interactions with the outside world.
As Ashoke explains, Dolphin Dude, a superhero-inspired narrative, was born out of years of environmental advocacy and a desire to make a lasting impact. “Before stepping into the creative world, I advocated for climate action, plastic pollution reduction, and environmental justice. I used my voice to push for change, but I often found that interest in these issues was fleeting—people would care passionately for a few days, only to move on”.
And so Dolphin Dude was designed with a mission at heart: to show that caring is cool.
Finding inspiration is undeniably a journey of soul-searching rooted in authentic connections with our surroundings and relationships we cultivate. For Tina, pursuing what matters is intrinsically related to letting others shape the narrative and allowing a broader co-creation process.
Meaningful creative work happens when we listen to the true source of the story. It’s not about imposing your ideas but about amplifying the voices of others. Creativity thrives when we give space for others to contribute and shape the work.
Ingredients for a Successful Idea: Connection, Collaboration, and Authenticity of the Story
A sense of mission and a passionate personal approach help create a strong connection with our audience. “A great idea often addresses a problem and proposes a solution drawn from a unique perspective or personal story” says Ana. However, crafting a compelling story should also spring from collaboration.
Tina acknowledges that the key is to put one's ego aside and be willing to hear unfiltered, genuine perspectives: “No great idea can be created alone, and trusting your team is crucial for the process to work. Like in a relay race, passing the baton and trusting the others to finish the race ensures the idea grows stronger”.
According to Dolphin Dude creator, we should also tap into what works and rely on attested frameworks:
We drew inspiration from the superhero genre—an enduring and popular storytelling model that has captivated audiences for over a decade. You can amplify your story's reach and relevance by aligning with familiar yet impactful elements.
The Role of Mentorship: Guiding Growth and Refinement
Talent League mentorships are designed to refine ideas and overcome emerging challenges. As collaboration flows, they also inspire critical thinking and fresh perspectives that help reshape some aspects of the project. How have these mentorships influenced the finalists’ initial concepts, and how have their projects evolved as a result?
For Team Through Your Eyes, mentorships illuminated the need for a more impactful narrative:
"Our team is creating a game that aims to inspire people to think about self-reflection, incentivizing them to feel the environment around and to promote empathy. However, the main character was not “growing” in this story, possibly making the player feel disconnected. The mentors highlighted this issue and made our team rethink the whole narrative of the game to give the player an impactful and meaningful experience".
For Team Dolphin Dude, mentorship bridged the gap between creativity and industry-readiness. The mentors’ industry knowledge and encouragement gave them the confidence to take their ideas to new heights through a proven and tested roadmap:
"They didn’t just guide us—they equipped us with cutting-edge tools and techniques, demonstrating what works and what doesn’t in real-world projects. Their genuine confidence in our ability to take our ideas to the next level made the experience both empowering and transformative".
Team Children of the Nile credit their mentors with helping them embrace patience and explore new possibilities. Mentors guided them subtly, enabling them to trust their instincts and embrace organic growth and a larger vision:
One specific recommendation from Kris Pearn was to use a digital sound recorder, which completely shifted the way I approached the interviews, foley sound, and local music. This advice led me to immerse myself in the unique sounds of the Nile and its surroundings, which enriched the project in ways I hadn't anticipated. Instead of simply telling me what to do, my mentors guided my teammates and me to explore the potential of the documentary, helping me trust my instincts and find my own path, which allowed me to dive deeper into the research stage. Their subtle yet powerful feedback helped me let go of rigid plans, embracing a more organic process.
Creative Journeys: Lessons Learned (so far)
Through their mentorships and learnings, each team has emerged its key takeaways:
Storytelling embraces limitless exploration
"One of my biggest takeaways from this partnership is that a story is never one-dimensional—it’s not a straightforward path from point A to point B. There are countless ways to reach your destination, and part of the process is discovering the best route to get there". (Ashoke)
Leave a little breathing room
"Not everything has to go according to plan, and mistakes are inevitable in the creative journey. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I now see them as opportunities to learn and adapt. Since then, I’ve expanded my technical skills by learning new tools and programs that have allowed me to connect more deeply to the filmmaking process, which has been essential in bringing my vision to life". (Tina)
Balance Art and Strategy
"As creatives, it’s easy to focus solely on the art and forget the crucial step of commercializing and bringing our ideas to the masses. That’s where the mentors truly shine. They help bridge the gap between creativity and strategy, providing the tools and insights needed to ensure our stories not only resonate but also reach their full potential". (Ashoke)
Pitching effectively
"Sometimes, we get used to our creations, and we forget to look at them with more critical eyes. But in the end, what matters is to give the best solution for the people who need it, making it valuable in someone's life". (Ana)
Talent League wants to turn ideas into reality and young creators into doers. In its fourth edition, the program offers finalists 12 incredible weeks of free, intensive mentorship and guidance from some of the industry's most respected names. This unique journey culminates in the Grand Final this March, hosted on our THU Platform, where creativity and innovation take center stage.