Finding My Voice: Bold Journey Magazine Feature

Masha (Mariya) Ellsworth featured in Bold Journey Magazine’s Story & Lesson Highlights

I’m honored to be featured in Bold Journey Magazine’s Story & Lesson Highlights, where I share my path from growing up in northern Ukraine to becoming a Lead Technical Director at Pixar and an independent filmmaker.

In the interview, I talk about what it means to finally tell my own stories, after years of helping bring other people’s visions to life. My short film Little t grew out of that shift: a creative journey sparked by a fortune-cookie message that read “Silence the critic within.” That single phrase helped me face my inner fears and make something deeply personal, transforming self-doubt into art.

I also shared the heart behind Bound / «Переплетені», my animated short inspired by Ukraine’s most beloved folk song, “Galya Carries Water.” Every frame was designed like a cross-stitch — a tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian culture and the stories carried through generations.

Creating, for me, is when I feel most at peace. Whether sketching ideas late at night or listening to traditional Ukrainian music as I work, filmmaking continues to be both my language and my refuge.

You can read the full interview here: https://boldjourney.com/story-lesson-highlights-with-mariya-ellsworth-of-alameda-highlight/