Podtalk: George Ellzey Jr. on Festival-Bound Film ‘Cottage Grove’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 24, 2024 - 10:47am

CHICAGO – The Autumnal Film Festivals are in full swing, and filmmakers across the spectrum are screening their cinema works to audiences around the country. Beginning a tour of festivals with his short “Cottage Grove” is writer/director George Ellzey Jr., a Chicago native and DePaul University grad. The film highlights the Chicago neighborhood and parental relations.

Emmanuel (Patrick Agada) is helping out his estranged father (Sean Blake) after the elder has had a stroke. As they sit in a car and watch the Cottage Grove neighborhood idle by, they establish some communication in their very tense relationship. As truths become evident, Emmanuel is getting an opportunity to confront the person that is his “father” in name only.

’Cottage Grove,’ Written and Directed by George Ellzey Jr.
Photo credit: Ellzey Winter Productions

“Cottage Grove” begins its fall festival tour on September 24th at (click links) the Charlotte Film Festival; comes back to Chicago for the Sandy Film Festival on October 4th-5th; moves to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on October 6th at the Hobnobben Film Festival, is featured at the Gary (Indiana) International Black Film Festival from October 10th-13th; lands at the prestigious Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles (see video clip below) on October 25th: and screens at the Reel Texas Film Festival in Kilgore on November 7th-10th, 2024.

George Ellzey Jr. is a native Chicago director, screenwriter, and producer most known for his award-winning experimental film, “Switchin’,” featured on NBC5 Chicago and now streaming on OTV Open Television. His work has been screened nationally and internationally at such festivals as Athens International Film Festival, Chicago Black Harvest Film Festival, London International Web & Shorts Film Festival (UK), and many more. According to the filmmaker, he is driven to explore the oft-ignored narratives of minorities in film, specifically focusing on the black male experience.

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

In a video clip, George gives an intro to “Cottage Grove” …

Trailer, “Cottage Grove” …

”Cottage Grove” is on the film festival circuit. Click links above for specific screenings. Featuring Patrick Agada and Sean Blake. Written and directed by George Ellzey Jr. Not Rated.