Talent League is back
Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) has launched the fourth edition of Talent League, a program that turns young creators into doers. Co-organized by Chaos Group, Talent League aims to find a new generation of talent from all over the world and support
creators in developing their ideas, providing 12 weeks of intensive mentorships and guidance with the best of the industry, for free, with no application fee. Applications are open until August 15, and to be considered eligible participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35. It’s possible to submit an idea individually or as a team (up to three members).
More mentors will be confirmed soon, and many have already joined the League, such as Jinko Gotoh, BAFTA winner and an Oscar-nominated producer and consultant for the animation industry. Dylan Sisson, Digital Artist with over 25 years
of experience in VFX and animation; Matt Omernick, co-Founder and CCO at Akili Interactive. Previously the Executive Art Director at Lucas Arts/Lucasfilm; Rafi Nizam,a multi-disciplined independent Creative Consultant & Media Executive who
originates and develops IP and global transmedia franchises; and Saraswathi Vani Balgam, writer, director and creative producer who is currently developing original content after serving as the Head of Creative Management for DreamWorks
Animation in Shanghai and as the Executive Director of Rhythm & Hues Asia.
This year, THU is introducing physical events to the League, hosting regional finals in cities all over the globe. The jury will select five teams from each region, and a total of 50 teams will have access to eight weeks of mentorship sessions to prepare their
ideas for the regional finals. At these one-day events, the teams from each region will present a pitch at their respective local event and one final team from each region will get four more weeks of mentorships and free tickets to Creators Circle, THU’s
creative entrepreneurship event. Additionally, the big winner gets all expenses paid for the event. Not sure if this challenge is for you? “There are not many opportunities out there that really take the time and effort to provide knowledge and guidance. This is for every young person who has an idea they would like to put into the world but doesn’t have the tools, the support system or the connections industry people and potential investors.
The idea can be anything, as long as it’s related to digital entertainment. We know there are many people out there with great ideas, but are not sure how to take them further, or are too shy to share them, but now is the time
to make them real with the right guidance”, says André Luis.
More information about Talent League is available here
THU TALENT LEAGUE SUMMARY
● Submissions: open until August 15. Finalists to be announced on September 2.
● Participants:: Can apply individually or as part of a group (maximum of three
members)
● Eligibility: Creators aged between 18 and 35 years old, no matter their background.
● Prizes:
○ Semi-Finalists: Eight weeks of mentorships
○ Finalists: twelve weeks of mentorships and tickets for THU Creators Circle, an
immersive three-day event focused on business & entrepreneurship.
○ Winner: Twelve weeks of mentorships and tickets for THU Creators Circle with
all expenses covered.
● Jury:
○ Dylan Sisson: Digital artist with over 25 years of experience in VFX & animation.
Dylan joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1999 and works in the RenderMan group where he designs the Walking Teapot. He’s an active artist exploring emerging media such as VR creation tools & stylized rendering.
○ Jinko Gotoh: Oscar-nominated producer and consultant for the animation industry. Her strengths and passion include discovering and nurturing diversified creative talent and charting new technologies and creative processes. Her producing screen credits include Klaus, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Little Prince, Oscar-nominated The Illusionist, 9, and
Oscar-winning Finding Nemo.
○ Rafi Nizam: Multi-disciplined independent Creative Consultant & Media
Executive who originates and develops IP and global transmedia franchises. Rafi helps tech companies bring meaning to their amazing technology through character-driven storytelling. He also helps traditional media and entertainment studios advance their production capabilities through Virtual Production, XR and Realtime.
○ Saraswathi Vani Balgam: Writer, director and creative producer Saraswathi
Balgam (aka Vani) is currently developing unique original content after serving as the Head of Creative Management for DreamWorks Animation in Shanghai and as the Executive Director of Rhythm & Hues Asia (a multiple Academy Award-winning Animation and VFX studio). For 10 years, she was the president of ASIFA India and Women in Animation India.
○ Matt Omernick: Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Akili Interactive, the creators of the World’s first Doctor-Prescribed video game in history, EndeavorRx, clinically proven to treat ADHD. He was named among America’s 50 greatest disruptors and visionaries in 2021. Prior to Co-foundng Akili, Matt served as Executive Art Director at LucasArts/Lucasfilm, and previously held
Director positions at Dreamworks, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Day 1 Studios.
● Official website: https://www.trojan-unicorn.com/accelerator/talent-league-iv/
ABOUT THU: Founded in 2013, THU is on a mission to empower creators through access to opportunities and inspiration, opening the door to a creative world. More than a global brand that focuses on technology, art, and creativity, THU is a global community of artists, creators, and companies from all areas of digital entertainment.
MEDIA RESOURCES; Media resources are available here: https://www.trojan-unicorn.com/
MORE INFORMATION: Joana Vale // joana.vale@trojan-unicorn.com