George Ellzey Jr. is a 2× Telly Award winning writer/director based in Chicago, known for emotionally resonant, socially driven stories that spotlight underrepresented voices. His acclaimed short Cottage Grove (AMC+,VTV) and experimental film SWITCHIN’ (NBC5, OTV) have screened at top festivals, including Black Harvest, Athens International, Tallgrass, and XL Fest. His work is distributed on KweliTV, VTV, and OTV. George holds a BA from Bowdoin College and an MFA in Directing from DePaul University. A finalist for the 2024 OTV Film Fellowship, the 2022 Camera Ambassador Grant, and the BlueCat Screenplay Competition, he also served as a juror for the 2025 Montrose International ScreenDance Festival, Charlotte Film Festival, and 48 Hour Chicago Film Project. As founder of Cottage Grove Productions, George champions bold, genre bending narratives that redefine Midwest storytelling. He is developing his debut feature—Closed Mouths or Shades centered on healing and overlooked truths. He is currently developing his debut feature—Closed Mouths or Shades—both designed to expand his unique voice and impact in independent cinema.