Behind the Pixels of Little t: Masha Ellsworth Shares Her Creative Process in Utah International Film Festival Interview

In an exclusive feature titled Behind the Pixels, the Utah International Film Festival sits down with filmmaker Masha Ellsworth to dive deep into the creative journey behind her award-winning animated short film Little t.

As the director, producer, and writer of the film, Ellsworth opens up about the deeply personal origins of the story, which explores the inner critic we all carry—and the path to transforming it. Drawing on her own experiences and observations, Little t reflects the silent, persistent effects of everyday trauma and perfectionism, rendered in a visual language that is both poetic and powerful.

“The character of 'Little t' is the inner voice that tries to keep us safe but sometimes goes too far,” Ellsworth explains. “Animation gave me a space to externalize that internal struggle and, hopefully, help others feel seen.”

Balancing her role at Pixar with the demands of independent filmmaking, Ellsworth shares the technical and emotional challenges of making a dialogue-free film that relies entirely on mood, movement, and design to tell its story.

The article also highlights the importance of community in independent animation, from finding collaborators to sharing the film with festival audiences around the world.

📰 Read the full article: Utah International Film Festival – Behind the Pixels of Masha Ellsworth
🎬 Learn more about the film: www.mashamakesmovies.com/littlet