We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.

Hi Sophia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my upcoming indie film, #WhoKilledJabori. It’s a murder mystery rooted in the flashy, high-pressure world of social media influencers — but beneath the suspense and style, it’s about identity, truth, and the masks we wear to survive.

This project came to life during a time when I was thinking deeply about visibility — who gets seen, who gets silenced, and what it costs to perform for the world. I was also reflecting on grief, friendship, and the way community can fracture under pressure. Jabori, the character at the center of the mystery, represents more than just a plot device — he represents a kind of magic and vulnerability that’s often overlooked.

From a creative standpoint, this project is me stepping fully into my voice as a director and storyteller. I’ve poured my heart into every detail — from the visual palette and character arcs to the casting process.

What makes it so meaningful is that it’s not just a film — it’s a statement. It’s a reclamation of genre through a Black, bold, and deeply intentional lens. And it’s reminded me that meaningful art can entertain, challenge, and heal at the same time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Sophia L Ellis, and I’m a multi-hyphenate creative rooted in storytelling, community, and intentional visual experiences. My work lives at the intersection of film, photography, cultural production, and brand narrative — all driven by a deep commitment to truth, beauty, and impact.

I stepped into this creative space from a place of observation and feeling. I’ve always been drawn to the quiet details — body language, lighting, color, the way a story unfolds even in silence. That sensitivity turned into a lens through which I started capturing the world: first through photography, then through short films, curated visuals, and now full-fledged cinematic experiences.

I work as a writer, director, photographer, and creative producer, and each medium is just another way I tell human-centered stories — especially ones that center on Black folks, queer folks, and those whose voices deserve to be seen, not just heard. I provide creative direction, visual branding, storytelling strategy, and cinematic content that helps clients and collaborators communicate their essence, not just their image.

The thing I’m most proud of is creating spaces where Black, queer, and women-centered culture can shine—authentically, boldly, and without stereotypes. So much mainstream media relies on tropes that flatten us, but I’ve made it my mission to build creative work that reflects our fullness, joy, complexity, and magic.

That mission shows up in everything I do—from concept to casting, from visual style to the energy on set. Projects like SuperMoon, a surreal and celebratory piece about rage and history, Koko’s Epic Baby Shower Weekend, a beautiful blend of culture, non-traditional families, and humor, and the upcoming mystery film #WhoKilledJabori, which explores identity, grief, and performance in the influencer age—are all rooted in care and cultural integrity.

Whether I’m directing a film, curating an experience, or producing branded content, I lead with intention. I want the people in front of the lens to feel powerful and the people behind the lens to feel respected. I want the audience to feel seen, not studied.

At the heart of it all, my work is about liberation through storytelling—liberation from boxes, erasure, and narratives that don’t reflect who we are. That’s what makes it meaningful to me. That’s what keeps me going.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Being an indie producer is definitely a full-time job — and not always the glamorous kind. It’s project management, team building, fundraising, budgeting, creative direction, emotional labor, and sometimes… being your own intern, stylist, editor, and craft services all in one day.

One thing I think non-creatives often struggle to understand is the emotional investment required in this work. When you’re a creative—especially a Black, queer woman in this industry—you’re not just making “content.” You’re pouring your truth into the work. You’re stretching every dollar, every hour, every ounce of energy to bring a vision to life that the world may not yet believe in — but you do.

It can be hard for people to grasp that creative work doesn’t have off-hours. It lives in your body. It wakes you up at 2am. It keeps you going when resources are slim and time is tight. And because so much of it is intangible — feelings, mood, aesthetics, culture, emotion — it’s often undervalued by people who live in more linear, logic-based industries.

But this work is real. It requires strategy, leadership, resilience, and an incredible amount of vulnerability. You’re building something from nothing — not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

My insight for anyone outside of this world? Respect the creative process like you would any other profession. It takes time, labor, heart, and a lot of behind-the-scenes grind to make things look effortless. So the next time you see an indie film, a powerful photo series, or a stunning visual campaign, know that someone probably wore twelve hats, lost sleep, and kept going even when it felt impossible — just to make that one moment happen.

And to the creatives reading this: you’re not alone. Keep building your vision, even if no one claps yet. You’re planting seeds the world will recognize when it’s ready to bloom.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make was learning to scale down instead of up. In a world that constantly tells you to “go bigger,” “build a team,” or “grow fast,” I realized that bigger isn’t always better—especially in storytelling.

There was a moment on an earlier project where I had gathered a full-sized crew, had the gear, the setup, the schedule—and still, something felt off. The energy wasn’t aligned. The story started to feel distant. And I realized I had moved too far away from the reason I started creating in the first place: intimacy, intention, and emotional honesty.

That experience forced me to pivot from the idea that growth always means more. Instead, I started re-centering projects around small, intentional teams—people who are deeply invested in the vision, not just there to fill a role. That pivot changed everything. My sets became more fluid, more collaborative, more soulful. The energy was better. The work was better.

It also reminded me that as a creative—and especially as an indie producer—you have to be willing to shift the plan in order to protect the purpose. That means releasing ego, staying flexible, and always asking: Does this still feel aligned?

So now, I lead with that. I protect the intimacy of the process. I work with people who care. And I’m not afraid to pivot mid-project if it means preserving the heart of the story. That’s where the real magic lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mbtlstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaninbehindthelens/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twiz03?mibextid=JRoKGi
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MBTLStudios?si=Ai4CDYOowzGRrgKP
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10243596/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits

Otis Clayborne II