Ella and the Astronaut

I caught a screening of this film at the Athens International Film + Video Festival, and all I can say is "Beautiful." The film was the first shown as part of the festival's "Best of the Fest" finale, and quite honestly the bar was set extremely high for the films that were to follow.

"Ella" does a fantastic job of capturing the heart and imagination of a child. Rather than making viewers mere observers of her daydream, the filmmakers place the audience inside Ella's thoughts. The dream-like narrative is absorbing and has a way of evoking memories of childhood with a quiet and endearing charm. By the end of this short film, one can't help but share Ella's dreams and innocent emotion.