Jaelyn Ellis
GIRLHOOD

The Future of Film Award with FSUFILM recipient.

The Future of Film Award seeks to recognize a woman or non-binary filmmaker who has demonstrated outstanding and promising work during their time at FSUFILM. The recipient should display inventiveness, completeness of narrative, as well as a strong visual language in their films. In addition to the monetary award, the recipient will be welcomed into the FOFIF community that provides grants as well as community building programs.

About the project: High school freshman Mia and her best friend Avery have always shared roller skating, but it is starting to get in the way of Avery's growing interest in boys and a social life. Their first high school party makes Mia question if she is ready to trade her world of skating and sleepovers for Avery's new world of boys and booze.

About the filmmaker: Jaelyn Ellis rode an elephant at the age of two and hasn’t been scared of anything since, especially when it comes with an adventure. Being one of the only Black women in the room if she’s lucky, and the only if she’s unlucky, she’s committed to producing and directing films that are diverse in front of and behind the camera. As a recent graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, she is excited to venture into the industry fearlessly and is grateful to receive the 2022 Future of Film is Female Award to help her do so.