Cottage Grove wins two Gold Telly Awards
Cottage Grove, a short film made entirely in Chicago by South Side native George Ellzey, Jr., is now a two-time winner at the 46th Annual Telly Awards.
The film, starring Patrick Agadaand Sean Blake, is a gripping tale about forgiveness, healing, and the choices we make that impact family dynamics. It centers around a young man struggling to communicate with his stroke-afflicted father. Set in the summertime in Chicago, these men try to find common ground in a South Side grocery store parking lot. In stark contrast to the street lit setting and all its complexity is the simple beauty of a father-son reconciliation found unintentionally through halting words, meaningful looks, flights of fantasy, and ultimately love.
After screening at 30 festivals nationwide, receiving critical and audience praise, and being selected for XL Fest’s showcase on AMC+, Cottage Grove has been awarded the following:
2025 Inaugural Student Film Award (GOLD)
2025 People’s Telly Award – Film & Shorts (GOLD)
