Masha Ellsworth Talks Bound, Folk Inspiration, and the Beauty of Missed Connections in New Interview
In a recent interview with We Are Moving Stories, filmmaker and Pixar animator Masha Ellsworth opens up about the creative process and emotional inspiration behind her new short film Bound.
The dialogue-free animated short is a reimagining of the Ukrainian folk song Galya Carries Water, long known for its romantic tension and unresolved ending. In Bound, Ellsworth breathes new life into this traditional narrative, crafting a visually rich story about two villagers, Galya and Ivanko, whose connection is sparked by chance—but disrupted by misunderstanding.
“I grew up with this song, and I always wondered what happened between these two people,” Ellsworth shares in the interview. “I wanted to explore the idea of a connection that’s real, but never quite finds its moment.”
The interview touches on how Bound uses symbolism, traditional Ukrainian cross-stitch motifs, and expressive animation to bring emotional complexity to a deceptively simple moment of connection. Ellsworth also shares how collaborating with her father on the film’s visual design and using authentic Ukrainian instruments for the score deepened the film’s cultural authenticity.
“This film is personal, but it’s also universal. We’ve all had moments where timing, miscommunication, or fear got in the way of something meaningful,” she says.
Bound continues its festival run after premiering at the Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) and screening at the Palm Springs American Documentary and Animation Festival.
