Podtalk: George Ellzey Jr. on His ‘Bosom’ and ‘Cottage Grove’ Shorts

Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 9, 2023 - 10:33am

CHICAGO – The film festival season for Autumn 2023 is gearing up, and a local Chicago filmmaker has two of his short films in the mix. Writer/director George Ellzey Jr., has his family relationship films “Bosom” and “Cottage Grove” currently on the circuit. “Bosom” will screen on September 27th at the upcoming (click link) Charlotte Film Festival and “Cottage Grove” will be at the Wichita, Kansas, Tall Grass Film Festival on October 6th.

“Bosom” involves estranged sisters Jade and Amber, who are attending their mother’s funeral, where long-held resentments and painful secrets are revealed. The twist … both had participated with their mother in a famous reality TV show. “Cottage Grove” is a bit more personal to the filmmaker. A father and son – distant for most of the son’s life – are reconciling what their relationship means after the father suffers a stroke.

’Bosom’ (left) and ‘Cottage Grove,’ Written/Directed by George Ellzey Jr.
Photo credit: Instinctivision Films

George Ellzey Jr. has recently graduated from DePaul University with an MFA in Directing for Film & Television … “Cottage Grove” was his thesis film. He is also known for the award-winning experimental film “Switchin,’ and has screened his films nationally and internationally, including at the Chicago Black Harvest Film Festival, London International Web & Shorts Film Festival and many more.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, George Ellsey Jr. provides perspective on “Bosom” and “Cottage Grove” …

In a video clip, can these shorts be expanded to features? …

Trailer, “Cottage Grove” …

The short films ”Bosom” and “Cottage Grove” are currently on the film festival circuit. “Bosom” features Kayla Carter and Kellye C. Howard. “Cottage Grove” features Patrick Agada and Sean Blake. Both films written and directed by George Ellzey Jr.