Grief, Empathy, and Love in "Love, from Ellie" by Chantelle James

Three Key Takeaways

Love, from Ellie explores grief and love through the eyes of a 9-year-old girl. Chantelle James sheds light on the ripple effects on families when a military loved one is lost, offering a perspective not often seen on screen.
Independent filmmaking thrives on creativity and resourcefulness. Chantelle highlights the magic of practical effects, recalling a rain scene crafted with a soaker hose and a gaffer on a ladder, proving effective film moments don't always require hefty budgets.
Storytelling as a tool for empathy. Chantelle aims to tell stories that foster empathy, believing in its power to create change and facilitate healing, with a special focus on female-centric narratives.

In conversation with Chantelle James, writer and director of Love, from Ellie, we delve into the heartfelt journey of a young girl navigating grief and love.

Chantelle, alongside producers Kirtana Banskota and Paulina Manseau, and a talented cast including Sara Willars as Ellie, crafts a narrative that resonates with universal themes of loss and connection.

With cinematography by Zach Morrison and editing by Federico Conforti, the film is a testament to collaborative storytelling.

Join us as we explore the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs behind this poignant short film.

Q&A Interview

What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?

Love, from Ellie is a heartfelt and emotionally resonant story that explores grief, remembrance, and the enduring power of love — all through the eyes of a resilient 9-year-old girl. It also sheds compassionate light on the ripple effects families experience when a loved one in the military loses their life in the line of duty. This is a perspective we don’t often see represented on screen, yet one that is deeply relevant to many people around the world.

"Grief is incredibly hard, but it’s also deeply beautiful. It’s love with nowhere to go."

What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically?

What surprised me most was how easily my vision translated across all departments. Everyone — both cast and crew — immediately jumped on board and brought their own unique contributions to the project. I was especially surprised by how smoothly each day of filming went, despite the challenges: working with a minor, filming a rain scene, and shooting outdoors in the 100-degree Texas summer heat.

What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?

In the original screenplay, while Ellie is reading her diary entry at her dad's memorial, a nearby middle school band starts rehearsing The Star-Spangled Banner. Ellie gets frustrated and asks her uncle to 'tell them to stop.' Unfortunately, we didn't pull off that moment as written — mainly due to budget constraints — so we had to reshoot it. Instead, we replaced the band with a gardener using a leaf blower to create the same kind of disruption. Because let’s face it — leaf blowers are always annoying. Fun fact: the 'annoying leaf-blower guy' is actually played by my husband. He’s pretty proud of his claim to fame.

"I wanted to create a film that reflects that complex reality, showing how grief can exist alongside moments of beauty and even joy."

What do you hope audiences take away from your film?

Grief is incredibly hard, but it’s also deeply beautiful. It’s love with nowhere to go. It’s something we all experience at some point in our lives. My hope is that the audience feels a little less alone in their grief — to recognize that, even though we’re all very different, grief is one of those rare things that connects us and reveals our shared humanity.

How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?

I think every project you work on gives you clues about your voice and brand as a storyteller. Over time, I’ve realized that my goal as a filmmaker is to tell stories that foster empathy. I believe empathy has the power to create real change and facilitate healing. As a female writer and director, I'm especially inspired to tell female-centric stories. Right now, I’m developing a feature that explores the complex struggle of being a mother while also pursuing a career you’re passionate about — and how challenging that balance can truly be.

What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?

We were lucky to have our amazing Visual Effects Supervisor, Laurie Powers Going, on set the day we filmed the rain scene. She acted as an extra set of eyes to catch any potential mistakes in real time, which was incredibly valuable. Having her there to advise us made a big difference.

What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?

Being selected for HollyShorts is a huge win for me and my team. Love, from Ellie is a proof-of-concept for the feature screenplay, so we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to showcase our work in front of industry professionals at an Oscar-qualifying festival. Being included in the Alliance of Women Directors block is also an absolute honor.