Our creative response was shaped by the idea of “intimacy at scale.” While the summit included 20 Global Teen Leaders, plus staff across 10 venues and a packed multi-day schedule, we made a strategic decision to build our creative approach around emotional storytelling, aiming to distill the large-scale logistics into personal, powerful human stories.

Where filming was to take place, Sledge curated a film team whose strengths included documentary-style storytelling, cultural intelligence, and calm energy. Crews were briefed not only on shot lists but on how to listen, how to step back when needed, and how to identify moments of meaning beyond the surface.

Our responsibility was to ensure that the event ran seamlessly on a logistical and operational level across 10 separate venues over a 7-day period; along with directing the filming at specific events such as the opening ceremony, a Nile Rodgers and CHIC concert, and a day of interviews for the GTLs.

We led on all technical setups, working directly with local AV suppliers and WAFF's team to develop a delivery plan that could shift fluidly between formal presentation environments and informal youth-led discussions. Every session whether in Parliament, a spa retreat, or an activist warehouse, had different access needs, lighting conditions, acoustic challenges, and emotional energy. We had to anticipate these needs and create scalable AV plans that balanced quality with agility.

Creatively, the challenge was to balance structure with spontaneity. While some content (like the “Hack for Earth” innovation sessions) was pre-scheduled and could be mapped out in advance, much of the project relied on capturing fleeting but deeply significant moments. These included journaling sessions, group meditations, peer-led protests, and quiet emotional exchanges. We developed an agile crew model, splitting into leapfrogging teams that could cover different venues simultaneously while maintaining quality and consistency.

We also faced logistical complexities. With multiple venues in play, ranging from modern event spaces to heritage buildings with restrictions, we had to be agile and resourceful. No bags were allowed at the Rosedale Festival for example, meaning camera gear had to be reconfigured and hand-carried. Meanwhile, schedules shifted daily, and sessions often ran long or changed locations last-minute. Our ability to adapt creatively under pressure, while remaining invisible to participants, became one of the defining features of the project’s success.

WAFF emphasized sustainability and ethical production as core values, and we mirrored these in our choices: using locally hired crew where possible, minimising single-use equipment, offsetting all travel emissions, and ensuring vegetarian/vegan catering for the full team.