FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Candid Conversation on Storytelling, Education, and Bringing Emotions to Life
Watch the trailer here.
Director Tawanna Cullen and actors Helaina & Fia share their journey, challenges, and triumphs in creating an educational episode that makes emotional intelligence fun and accessible.
Director’s Vision: Tawanna Cullen on Creating What Are Emotions?
Award-winning director Tawanna Cullen saw What Are Emotions? as more than just an educational episode—she wanted a program that helped children truly understand themselves.
What inspired you to create What Are Emotions? and include it in The Talky Talk Show?
"A lot of people don’t fully grasp the biological makeup of emotions, the difference between emotions and feelings, or the concept of emotional intelligence," Cullen explains. "I wanted to break it down in a way that makes sense—something kids could actually apply to their own experiences."
From script development to filming, Cullen made sure the episode was both scientifically accurate and engaging for young audiences.
Tawanna, how did you approach directing a children’s episode that balances education and entertainment? "Research was key," she says. "I made sure everything was rooted in science, but I also wrote it with Helaina and Fia in mind. They have incredible energy and natural comedic timing, so incorporating their personalities made the episode lively."
What was the most rewarding part of making this film? "Knowing that viewers will learn something valuable while being entertained. Filming with Helaina and Fia was a joy, and the bloopers show just how much fun we had."
Of course, the production process wasn’t without challenges—especially with editing and technical execution.
Were there any challenges in production, and how did you overcome them? "Editing was definitely a challenge. The green screen required specific conditions, and we filmed using three different iPhone models, which meant balancing camera quality across devices. One of those phones was on ‘life support’—plugged in the entire time while filming!" Cullen laughs. "Lighting was another tricky part, but we made it work."
Despite these hurdles, What Are Emotions? has gone on to receive global recognition, proving that a thoughtful approach to children’s media can be both informative and entertaining.
For Helaina and Fia, starring in What Are Emotions? wasn’t just about acting—it was about learning and connecting with the material in a way they never expected.
Helaina, what was one of the most fun parts of filming? "Reading through the script during rehearsals! I love discovering new things while practicing my lines. This episode really stood out because I got to learn while acting—which doesn’t happen with every project."
She also found the science behind emotions fascinating, especially dopamine—one of the neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of reward and accomplishment.
"I didn’t realize how many different chemicals affect how we feel. Dopamine, for example, is the one that gives us that ‘reward’ feeling when we accomplish something—it helped me understand emotions from a scientific perspective, not just as something we experience."
For Fia, seeing the episode fully come to life was one of the best parts. "Working with Helaina and watching the final product was my favorite part. Seeing our ideas fully realized was amazing!" she shares.
How did you both bring your personalities into the episode?
Helaina: "I’m really expressive, and I love acting things out. Since I do theater, I used big facial expressions and movement to show each emotion—whether it was joy with a huge smile or frustration with a dramatic sigh, I wanted to make it feel real for kids watching."
Fia: "I brought my personality through my expressions and tones! It helped make the episode even more entertaining."
Both actors hope that kids walk away with an important message about emotions.
If you could teach kids one thing about emotions, what would it be?
Helaina: "All emotions are okay. There’s no ‘wrong’ feeling. The more you understand what’s going on inside—whether it’s anger, sadness, or joy—the better you can take care of yourself."
Fia: "Emotions are special, and they matter. No one should feel like their emotions aren’t important—because they are!"
In an era where emotional intelligence is critical to development, What Are Emotions? bridges entertainment and education, creating a space where children can both laugh and learn.
Bear and Bee Productions aims to produce content that engages, educates, and empowers young audiences, helping kids develop self-awareness and emotional literacy.
"Our goal is to help kids understand themselves and the world around them," Tawanna Cullen quotes, "When you know better, you do better." that’s the foundation of everything I create."
Best Educational Film
24 Hours Film Challenge
Best Educational Film (Winner)
24 Hours Film Challenge
Best Director (Winner)
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival Best Short Film (Finalist)
Cannes World Film Festival
Best Family/Children Film (Nominee)
Beyond Border International Film Festival Educational Film (Honorable Mention)
Best Director
Best Family/Children Film
Best Short Film
Best Short Film
Official Selections:
Indian Independent Film Festival – May 11, 2025
Five Continents International Film Festival – May 31, 2025
Cal Film Festival – June 7, 2025
Independent Shorts Awards – June 8, 2025
Global INDIE Filmmaker Awards – September 26, 2025
MegaFlix Movie Awards – October 3, 2025
Bright Minds Film Festival – October 31, 2025
International Celebration of Cinema – November 28, 2025
Travancore International Film Awards (TIFA) – April 3, 2026
What Are Emotions? continues its rise, with festival selections extending into 2026, proving its lasting relevance in children’s media.
Upcoming Festival Screenings:
Independent Shorts Awards – May 30 & June 4, 2025
International Celebration of Cinema – November 7, 2025
Travancore International Film Awards (TIFA) – April 2, 2026
Global INDIE Filmmaker Awards – August 29, 2025
Follow the journey: on Instagram and on Facebook
About The Talky Talk Show The Talky Talk Show is a family-oriented web series committed to bringing educational and entertaining content to children and families. With each episode, the series strives to foster meaningful learning and inspire confidence in viewers of all ages.
Director’s Statement The Talky Talk Show is a passion project born out of love for creativity, education, and family collaboration. By incorporating elements of emotional intelligence and mindfulness, I aim to empower children with tools to understand themselves and the world around them. With bloopers at the end of each episode, we remind viewers that learning and creating can be fun and lighthearted. I hope The Talky Talk Show leaves children and families smiling, thinking, and feeling inspired.
Media Inquiries & Interviews: Contact Tawanna Cullen Filmmaker & Founder, Bear and Bee Productions
Website: www.tawannashantelle.com Instagram: @tawannashantelle | @thecullensisters | @talkytalkshow