Lights, camera, gifted brains: Young filmmakers debut animated film

Lights, camera, gifted brains: Young filmmakers debut animated film | Daily Tribune

What do you get when four Gifted Kids — aged just five to six — take on the roles of director, scriptwriter, animator and cinematographer? A short animated film.

On 26 May at Central Square Cinema in BGC, Promil premiered The Promil Gifted Four and the Case of the Missing Gifts — the country’s first animated movie made by Gifted Kids, for Gifted Kids. A true milestone not just for the children but also for Promil, this project brings to life what can happen when brain milestones are nurtured through the right support and nutrition.

At the heart of the production are four young visionaries. Five-year-old Thylane “Tili” Bolzico, daughter of Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico, took charge as the film’s director, showing natural leadership and attention to detail. Alfred “Alfie” Burnand, 6, son of Georgina Wilson, penned the script with imaginative flair. Javi Trajano, 5, served as cinematographer, applying his sharp memory and academic excellence behind the camera. Animator Maddie De Leon, also 5, translated creative concepts into vibrant moving images, having been a skilled visual storyteller since she was two.

The kids’ journey to the big screen was documented in Gifted Kids in Action, a TikTok series that captured each stage of the creative process — from storyboarding and voice acting to lighting and animation. Guiding them were respected mentors like director Tonet Jadaone, illustrator Jomike Tejido, and screenwriter Cha Sawit-Esguerra. Each mentor not only taught technical skills, but also witnessed the children’s developmental milestones in action.

“All four of them are gifted, but what amazed me was how naturally they used their brains to build a story,” said Sawit-Esguerra. “They just needed a spark — then they lit everything up.”

Director Tonet Jadaone noted how observant Tili was with framing, even opting for a close-up of a teddy bear’s nose “to make people feel the movie.” Javi explored wide shots with careful intention. “These kids weren’t just absorbing — they were creating,” said Jadaone. “They have their own visual logic already.”

During the premiere, proud moms Solenn Heussaff and Georgina Wilson were in attendance. Solenn shared, “I really believe all kids are Gifted Kids. It’s just a matter of nurturing that gift and letting them express it freely — without pressure. As moms, we just need to be present. And it helps so much to have a partner like Promil — especially one that goes beyond DHA with four more brain nutrients.”

Georgina Wilson added, “I think Promil has also given us such ease in parenting. When you know you’re working with a supplement that will help them, it takes away a lot of the fears that you have as a mother. So we know that we’re in such good hands.”

Also gracing the screening were Dr. Ed Prosecion, pediatrician and Wyeth Nutrition medical doctor, and Arlene Tan-Bantoto, General Manager of Wyeth Nutrition Philippines — both of whom underscored the science and mission behind the initiative.

“Promil is formulated with four clinically important and clinically proven brain nutrients —Lutein, Choline, DHA, and MOS+. These nutrients improve brain function, especially in the early years. This includes focus, memory, language, and, most importantly, problem-solving,” said Dr. Prosecion.

“It has been 110 years of being at the forefront of nutrition and innovation, providing high-quality, top-notch milk for Filipino families,” said Arlene Tan-Bantoto. “For the past 60 years, Promil has been leading the way in brain expertise through leading-edge science and continuously revolutionizing brain development to ensure that we give our children the best foundation for their future.”

From TikTok brainstorming to the cinema screen, The Promil Gifted Four and the Case of the Missing Gifts proves that creativity, when guided and supported, can spark milestones that last a lifetime.