Back
From First Film to Film Festival: Rooted Heads to Cindependent
When teenagers Elke Hounshell and Ash Carroll set out to make a film during our 2025 Summer Apprentice Program with the Well's TrueBody Project; My River My Roots My Freedom they weren't thinking about film festivals.
They were thinking about nature.
They were thinking about the river.
And they were thinking about the often-overlooked connection between people and the natural world around them.
Now, their film, Rooted, has been selected for the 2026 Cindependent Film Festival, where it will screen at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Memorial Hall.
For the young filmmakers, the news came as a complete surprise.
Reflecting on the moment she learned Rooted had been accepted, Elke said:
"We were together when we got the email, and we just couldn't believe it at first. It was kind of a huge shock because we didn't even know it got entered into the festival. It was truly amazing to know that other artists out there appreciate young artists' work."
Ash shared that excitement.
"I was extremely surprised and excited. Me and Elke were actually together when we got the email."
A year later, the scale of the accomplishment still feels surreal.
Elke said:
"We made this film at 14 and 15 in about a month, so it being shared with everyone at such a big festival is insane. We really can't believe we got into this."
A Story Rooted in Nature
Rooted is a dream-like experimental short film that explores nature as a healing practice and examines the many ways people are connected to the world around them, often without realizing it.
Through imagery of rivers, roots, movement, and the natural landscape, the film explores the similarities between patterns found in nature and patterns found within the human body. Shot at multiple locations and featuring poems written by fellow apprentice August Brown, the film invites viewers to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the environment around them.
Ash describes the film simply:
"Rooted is about how the human body connects to nature."
For Elke, the story was deeply personal.
"Telling this story was important to us since we both grew up in Cincinnati, and the river was a really important thing for both of us. Working with Stacy and exploring our bodies' reactions to the world around us really challenged us to think more about our connection to the nature we are surrounded by and sometimes don't pay attention to."
One of Elke's favorite parts of the project was the opportunity to immerse herself in the environments featured in the film.
"Definitely just going out into nature and being able to get these shots. We loved exploring the river's history, spending full days down there, being in the woods, and all of those things. It was so refreshing to be able to work at our own pace."
That connection to nature is also the impact Elke hopes the film will have on audiences.
"We need to take care of the earth and the river more because it's a very good tool for grounding ourselves and our minds and bodies."
Learning by Doing
Like many first-time filmmakers, Elke and Ash encountered challenges throughout the creative process.
Finding the right story proved to be one of the most difficult parts.
Reflecting on the process, Elke said:
"I think our biggest challenge was just finding the right idea. We were incredibly scrambled, and we definitely didn't get the final outcome we originally wanted, but we're still very proud of it. We had a lot of challenges deciding how to film it and whether it would be more surreal or documentary-like. It was really hard to figure out what we wanted the film to mean, but I think our final outcome is something to celebrate."
As they experimented with cinematography, editing, sound design, voiceovers, and visual effects, they gained new skills while developing their creative voice.
Looking back, one accomplishment stands above all the rest for Elke.
"We're just proud that we finished it, honestly. We had so many ideas, and this being our first film, I think just the fact that we did it makes us really proud. We learned a lot of new techniques with video and photo overlays, sound overlays, and voiceovers. We're proud that we got to represent Ohio's nature and the Little Miami River in such a special way."
For Ash, one aspect of the finished film stands out.
"I'm proud of the way we captured the river timelessly."
What began as a summer apprenticeship became a completed film. That film has now earned a place at one of Cincinnati's premier independent film festivals, giving two young artists the opportunity to share their vision with a wider audience.
For Ash, the recognition still feels unexpected.
"I didn't think it was ever gonna happen, getting to achieve something so big and so suddenly."
Along the way, they were supported by a community of mentors and fellow creatives.
Reflecting on the people who helped make the project possible, Elke said:
"Andrea Sisson. We cannot thank her enough. She worked with us on cinematography, sound, recording, everything. She is such an amazing human to work with. Stacy Sims, of course, and Elon Schwartz. They're some of the most creative people ever, and they really mentored us on this project. We also want to thank all of the other apprentices we worked with and everyone who supported this project."
Beyond the technical skills and festival recognition, one of Ash's favorite memories was much simpler.
"My favorite part was working together with my best friend."
Just the Beginning
The screening of Rooted is a milestone, but it's far from the end of the story.
In fact, it's exactly the kind of beginning 1001 Colors strives to create, where young people gain confidence, build skills, find their voice, and discover that their creativity has value.
Elke and Ash are already looking ahead to future projects, including a new screenplay they recently completed.
The filmmakers also have advice for other young creatives who want to share their work with the world.
Elke's message is simple:
"You don't realize how many people want to view and support your art. Especially in Cincinnati, there are so many organizations that want to see your talents. Just don't give up."
Ash offers another piece of advice:
"Present your work without fear. Don't dumb your ideas down for strangers."
That's exactly what creative pathways are designed to do: help young people discover what's possible when talent is paired with opportunity. And for Elke and Ash, that journey is only getting started.
See Rooted at the Cindependent Film Festival
Rooted
Directors: Elke Hounshell & Ash Carroll
Screening: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati Ohio
Tickets: cindependentfilmfest.org/tickets
We hope you'll join us in celebrating Elke, Ash, and the next generation of creative talent as Rooted makes its film festival debut.