The world premiere of the film “Ella,” which was shot on location in Chattanooga at the end of last year, was shown at the historic Tivoli Theatre.
“Ella” feature director and co-writer of the film, Myles Matsuno, graduated from Lee University and wanted to specifically hold the world premiere of the film at the location where he shot the concert scene at the film’s conclusion.
Other local talent included main actor and Lee graduate Jermaine Purifory, who starred in American Idol, Actress Erin Ownbey, Actress Missy Crutchfield, and local producer and Lee alumus Jeff Salyer.
“Ella” is a 30-minute film about a young musician who loses his fiancée and unborn child in a tragic car accident. To cope with his loss, he says goodbye the only way he can – with his music. At its core, “Ella” is about memory, love, and letting go.
Matsuno has been a technical director at ABC Los Angeles for the Academy Awards, “Dancing with the Stars,” CMA’s, NBA Finals, and most of primetime television. He has also had a short film titled “Under The Sun,” which was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival. He and his fellow film maker and friend, Immanuel Davis, have won Best Film, Best Film Score, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Design and Best Directing in the world-known 48-hour Film Festival in Los Angeles.