Masha Ellsworth Talks Bound, Ukrainian Folklore, and Storytelling Across Cultures in CoAR Interview at BIAF
As part of the Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) 2024, Pixar animator and independent director Masha Ellsworth sat down with Korean media outlet CoAR to discuss the creative journey behind her newest animated short, Bound.
Premiering in the Shorts Competition at BIAF, Bound reimagines a moment of connection between two young villagers in Ukraine—Galya and Ivanko—rooted in a traditional folk song but expanded through a contemporary lens. In her interview, Ellsworth reflects on how her heritage shaped the visual and emotional landscape of the film.
“In Bound, I wanted to honor the poetic nature of Ukrainian folk tradition while creating a story that resonates universally,” Ellsworth said. “It’s about connection, misunderstanding, and the invisible threads that bind us—ideas everyone can relate to, no matter where they’re from.”
She also opened up about the creative tension between cultural specificity and global accessibility, noting that animation gives her a powerful medium to bridge the two.
“Ukrainian culture is rich in symbolism—from cross-stitch embroidery to folk music—and using that as a visual language was key. But at the heart of Bound is a very human experience of love, timing, and missed chances,” she told CoAR.
The interview highlights Ellsworth’s commitment to telling emotionally grounded stories that both celebrate identity and invite connection. Her previous short Little t, also screened at BIAF, explored themes of perfectionism and healing through the lens of childhood trauma.
🎬 Bound is currently screening in the Shorts Competition at BIAF 2024.
📍 Learn more at www.biaf.or.kr
