KILGORE, Texas – The REEL East Texas Film Festival, running Nov. 11‑14 across the Texan Theater, 4 Star Cinema and the Texas Broadcast Museum, will feature the debut of a new short film by local filmmaker Tyler Ellison. Ellison’s 16‑minute Southern Gothic piece, titled “Desperate Things,” is slated for the 7 p.m. block on Thursday.
Local talent brings a personal story to the screen
Ellison, a Quitman native who has spent more than a decade working in commercial photography and videography, turned his attention to narrative filmmaking several years ago. After writing and developing his own projects, he assembled a cast and crew to bring “Desperate Things” to life.
“I love just telling stories in these small East Texas towns,” Ellison said, emphasizing his commitment to regional storytelling.
Plot and themes
The short follows a police officer haunted by the memory of his mother’s death, a trauma that resurfaces during a high‑stakes situation later in his career. Ellison noted that the narrative includes biblical parallels to the story of Abraham and Isaac, underscoring themes of sacrifice, faith, and redemption.
Production details
Principal photography took place primarily in Longview and Lone Star, with additional talent drawn from the Dallas‑Fort Worth area. Lead actress Ellen Toland traveled from New York to participate in the production, adding a broader artistic perspective to the locally rooted project.
Ellison’s family, friends, and members of the cast and crew plan to attend the screening, turning the event into a community celebration of homegrown creativity.
Looking ahead
Beyond the short, Ellison has already completed a first draft of a feature‑length screenplay, signaling his ambition to expand his storytelling reach.
Festival attendees can view the full schedule and purchase tickets on the REEL East Texas Film Festival website.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
