REPLY (2022) | A Coming-of-Age Short Film

it's finally here! hope you enjoy my first film ever -- can't wait to make and share more with you :)
My Instagram: / elle.mills
My TikTok: / directedbyellemills
My Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/...
For business inquiries: [e-mail]
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY:
Elle Mills
PRODUCED BY:
Michael J. Murphy - www.michaeljmu...
Mark C. Fields - www.fivetwelve...
Elle Mills
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Lawrence Mills
Khoa Nguyen - / khoa_nguyen
Keren Swanson - / kerenswan
Yamilia Avendano - / idsanty
CAST:
Ciara Riley Wilson - / ciararileywilson
Ava Capri - / avacapri
Corey Fogelmanis - / coreyfogelmanis
Anthony Rosenthal - / anthony__rosenthal
Steve Zaragoza - / stevezaragoza
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
Ksusha Genenfeld - www.ksushagene...
PRODUCTION DESIGNER:
Marina Gridley
EDITOR:
Elle Mills
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS:
Juvy Ann Prejola
Nicholas Coffey
COSTUME DESIGNER:
Roxy Sorkin - / roxyssorkin
HAIR AND MAKEUP:
Janelle Detina - / janelle_detina
MUSIC COMPOSER:
Benjamin Squires - www.benjaminsq...
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Avid Eghbali - / avid.eghbali
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Mark C. Fields
SCRIPT SUPERVISOR:
Eddie Vigil - / eddievigilv
ART ASSISTANTS:
Daniel Bartolo
Zoe Hazlett
WARDROBE ASSISTANT:
Charlotte Mirkovich
FIRST ASSISTANT CAMERA:
McKay Todd
SECOND ASSISTANT CAMERA:
Titus Carr
Bethani Mosher
KEY GRIP:
Ethan Waddell
GAFFER:
Kay Zhou
SOUND:
Mason Hankins
KEY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:
Reagan Jones
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:
Maggie Jorgenson
Lauren Henning
Davis J. Anderson
Alex Ieraci
Avery Cather
ON-SET PHOTOGRAPHER:
Dillon Matthew - www.dillonmatt...
VFX GRAPHICS & MOTION DESIGN:
Zoe Hazlett - / zoe.hazlett
COLORIST:
Sam Gilling - samgilling.com/
SOUND EDITOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER:
Romain Sturma - romainsturma.c...
ON-SET COVID OFFICER:
Diana Navarro
ON-SET TEACHER:
Donna Corwin
SONG CREDITS:
“Loverboy”
Written by Jackson Lundy + Ivan Jackson Rosenberg
Performed by Jackson Lundy
“Begin Again”
Performed by Adam Melchor
Courtesy of Warner Records Inc.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
“Nothing Has Changed”
Written by Alejandro González, Andres Baquerizo, Andres Zambrana, Jake Karner
Performed by The Polar Boys
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Tavian Palacios
Paul Neafcy
Dom Fera
Luke Korns
Sammy Paul
Jessica Danielle
Michelle Platti
Emma Schell
Thom Kuo
Matt Dohlen
Celia Rosenthal
Alli Davis
THANK YOU TO OUR INDIEGOGO DONORS:
Anna Lopez
Emma Schneider
Kalini Aguon-Sewell
Daniela Mireles
Kristyn Wilkerson
Kathy Lee
Ryan Mills
Andrea Mills
Santosh Varma
Brenda Suaste Hernandez
Lachlan Guertin
Taylor Shubert
Tobi Forren
Kevin Mastrogiacomo
Kathrine Sanchez
Marissa Roxas
Josh Ginnity
Ariana Ferrer
Maggie McGrath
Tristan McGrath
Tia Saylor
Samara Montero
Max Reisinger
Otto Jantarapet
Kathryn English
Rachel Mayes
Gianluca Suppa
Reneehereee
Kathria Tizon
Nathaniel Mason
Jane Smith
Milky S
Yashar Sanaei
Ella Hatfield
Zion Moon
Dodie
Hali Crawford
Debra Platti
Brian A Buddhadasa
Christine Rose
Ryan O’Donnell
Felix Descoteaux
Daniel Sanchez
Anna Nolan
Alissa Jackson
Nathan Kwok
Hayley Trigatti
Janette Prejola
Fiona Flores-Lyons
Christopher Flores-Lyons
Veronica Harrison
Katie Webb
Veronica Morhac
Luca Curcio
Abarnath Devaraj
Hassan Hamed
Brynn Mirau
Emma McCulloch
Michael Sousa
Katrina Cody
Alexa Pereira
Emily Teed
Jenna Lalonde
Nick Le
Alex Whibley
Cassidy Swan
Tina Pirvali
Kaitlyn Lambert
Carmelo Nocita
Michelle Walker
Kate Hendriks
Sam Armstrong
Kamilla Batitis
Moses Palacios
Vania Monterroso

[@wiktoria8104]

I would definitely watch a full movie out of it. Its amazing

[@ElleOfTheMills]

may or may not have been working on something these past few years... :)

[@wiktoria8104]

@@ElleOfTheMills omg I'm so excited can't wait 💜

[@Adi-kd5ng]

@@ElleOfTheMills NO WAY

[@edxenvertigo6701]

NO WAY WE CANT WAIT​@@ElleOfTheMills

[@someonewrites9657]

@@ElleOfTheMillshWAT

[@Sam1234R]

bro I came from Instagram and after searching for this short film.......bro the teaser was released 2 years ago whatttt... People who waited for it might be finally happy

[@ava130]

Omg I waited and so worth it lmao

[@AnneHowa]

I thought the actual movie was released 2 years ago it says 2022 idk

[@-sayuri-4850]

Same

[@alexis4784]

i came here via insta too lmao but the trailer was 2022!?? damm..

[@-sayuri-4850]

@@alexis4784 yeah right

[@__shiro_3467]

they're so good at being extremely awkward around each other, it feels like I'm watching a real tape, ughhh this is so cute

[@melaniegriesemer]

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to know what I want to do with my life if I’ve never lived it” wow 🤯 such a great line!

[@Nora-qh4bp]

Real

[@orbiddenfluid]

THIS IS SO "GOOD LUCK,BABE!" CODED,I AM SOBBING 😭

[@miadjacobs0505]

OMGGG SOO TRUE

[@noe9752]

OMG YES

[@riaotsu]

REAL 😭😭

[@stellabriand80]

you're so right, i literally came here from a tiktok edit with Good Luck, Babe !

[@Lieutenant_jel]

IM SOBBING

[@julianapinheiro6694]

I came for a promotional video on tik tok I really don't regret watching this movie at all

[@cierrablue]

It was so beautiful. So touching. I have tears. As a woman near 60, this hits very differently. I see my missed opportunities because I was afraid to live. This is Beautiful, Elle. Done so well.

[@LilyRegia-es2yo]

Its never too late for you or any of us!

[@carolerichoux4891]

@@LilyRegia-es2yoyou are so right. I am still seeking my soul mate at 79. ☺️

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

@@carolerichoux4891And me at 45. Good luck, friend. ☺️💙

[@fdupbyfh]

YOU CAN'T JUST END IT LIKE THAT OMG I NEED MORE PLS LKSHJGLKSDHFJSF

[@sparklingsn]

That WHOLE INTERACTION in 8:34 you could clearly see how Casey had those butterflies going wild the second after Haden said "I didn't think there was anything here for me," and when Haden walks away, the 'stupid in-love face' she had was so prominent lmao THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE COMING OF AGE FILMS. The script, acting and the two women's chemistry were all so organic.

[@Shae_..Lunna.._]

I NEED A MOVIE, A SEQUEL, A PREQUEL, A MINI SERIES, 3 CHRISTMAS SPECIALS, AND A MUSICAL BASED OFF OF THIS NOW. NEEOOOOWWWWWW….

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

Same! Right meow! 💙

[@nataliexlynn]

the essence of elle mills is written all over this. i remember watching a couple years ago at buffer film festival and being in complete awe of how clever, creative, and warm it felt. i am so proud and happy this project is finally out!!

[@itsnikeb8649]

I need a full movie PLEASE

[@kramcavon1]

the thought of how did she reply will haunt me for days

[@pancheetoz4647]

RIGHT LIKEEE WE NEED A LONGER LENGTH OF THE MOVIEJENDJWDJ

[@RoseFlorcita]

YES, I NEED A MOVIE ABOUT THISSSS

[@mobina-f9k]

Cliffhangers....

[@florenceip5647]

This is so reminiscent of elle's old vlogs, I love how you can see her editing style and music choices in this film and in her old vlogs as well, this is so nicely done❤

[@ElleOfTheMills]

thank you so much :))

[@sparklingsn]

WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THEIR FIRST EYE CONTACT? The way she stared at Haden as if it was love at first sight and how she HAD to chase-stare her down as Haden walks away? Oh my god it was so subtle but !!!

[@lookatthesky0801]

We need a petition to turn this into a full movie

[@SandiswaFeni]

Yasssss

[@CarlosAndres-tq9sc]

Or a show

[@zirasky6428]

Can we???

[@kpotato6080]

Who’s been waiting here since 2 years!? ✋

[@JackShren-vo1fo]

🫡

[@mysc13err]

Meee

[@LukeKorns]

So proud of you, and excited to see this finally available to all! YOU GOT THIS, ELLE!

[@WhatAlex]

Not me randomly checking my sub box and seeing there’s a NEW Elle Mills video uploaded 13 SECONDS ago

[@klaran2894]

2:50 the foreshadowing with the u-haul truck

[@kait877]

HAHA TRUE

[@Julesjohnson10]

wait i’m kinda confused what is it foreshadowing?

[@immsumm3r_]

@@Julesjohnson10its kind of like predicting/representing what will happen in the future

[@Julesjohnson10]

@@immsumm3r_ ohhhhhh okay thanks

[@klaran2894]

@@Julesjohnson10 there’s a term called “u-haul lesbian” which basically refers to when lesbians will move in together really early on in their relationship, it’s kind of a stereotype but also true in some cases lol

[@denisebaslee2600]

Elle it’s you, you posted😭 you were my whole childhood I’m now 22 but as soon as I realized it was you who posted I never clicked so fast I love it so much so proud of you Elle!❤️ look forward to more short films !!

[@jadchu]

OMG FARKLE MINKUS (Corey Fogelmanis)

[@Hailey_gorne]

I know I yelled farkle from girl meets world when I saw him

[@VileStinkyGamer]

THAT's WHAT I SAID

[@neon_lights]

This movie is so filled with life, you can tell how much love and care and passion was put into creating this. The set and camara angles the dialogues fells so real. And the acting and delivery just elevates everything to a high level. There is a vibe of thus being an actual movie. The story is beautifully bittersweet. Just, huge kudos to everyone who worked on this!!!

[@cartoonqueen9662]

This was absolutely incredible. With the way you at first think it's about the boyfriend and it slowly switches over to Hayden. This was incredible, excellent job!

[@topatsyn_]

"so you're just hammering screws for fun?" THAT GOT ME😭

[@user-ng6vv8ug8h]

hi elle! ive been watching your videos since i was in high school. im supposedly graduating from uni now but life happened and that’s not happening in the near future. i just want to say i really loved this short film to the point that i literally screamed while tears roll down my eyes with that ending. im two months late, but hey at least im here! watching your vids from pranks and other laughable matters turn into a coming-of-age short film that tackles an important matter made me feel something like a sense of pride. watching your videos mature the same time i do is inexplainable. it’s like growing up with a friend. i know i’m just a subscriber, and you don’t know me but you’ve put a lot of smiles in my face and now, tears. i was a victim of compulsary heterosexuality and it took me six years to accept who i am. seeing a representation made specifically by you feels bittersweet for me as i was a “casey” before. i really missed your videos. although technically your face wasn’t shown in this, i felt that you were here in a spiritual level. i hope to see more of you soon! with love, your silent subscriber since 2017

[@ElleOfTheMills]

thank you so much for this so so sweet message :’) appreciate you growing up alongside me and sending you lots of love always

[@user-ng6vv8ug8h]

@@ElleOfTheMills AAA i didnt think you’d respond! sending you lots of love alsoo🫶

[@Sagessge]

The cinematography,the acting,the script,this is such well placed short film,and I hate that it is a short film,the ending..was so full and hollow at the same time,aghhh I want to know what happens afterwards!😭

[@saraheguinn]

keren and khoa being producers 😭😭 the best friends to have

[@wintergreen1784]

Wow this was so bittersweet-nostalgia filled. Sad for Jackson just working tbh and also Hayden

[@layla.matisse]

If this was a full movie I’d 100% see it! Sweetest and deepest thing ever!!!

[@gracesherman7482]

I NEED A WHOLE MOVIE!!! Ahhhh I loved that so much

[@gracesherman7482]

the color scheme! The clothes! THE DETAILS!!! Ahhhhh I loved this so much!! Congratulations 🤍

[@akanshaverma6236]

Found this sweet short film on Instagram. Feel the love connection between characters in the 14 minute film which was not seen in the 2 hour film mostly. Beautiful direction, acting, writing and everything. Glad to see this short film.❤❤❤

[@afsheen792]

I love how at 6:50, when Hayden confesses her dad died, you can visibly see Casey processing what she said. Instead of showing her stammering for an apology or saying her condolences, she just lets the moment pass. I think ending that scene there was such a smart decision and made it feel so much more real!!!

[@yanyan6752]

I'M SOBBING SO HARDDD 😭😭 The end bro

[@filsanmohamed3266]

Literally in tears rn this was beautiful

[@Riley-k8g]

My name is Riley.. at the end when he said, “I do hope you find your happy ending Miss Riley, you deserve it”… I really took that to heart. This short film had me thinking about all the troubles and turmoil I’ve had with love recently, and how nothing seems to fit. Thanks Sam, I hope I find my happy ending too.

[@courtkendell]

ELLE WE NEED AN ENTIRE MOVIE OF THIS PLS

[@CharlestonAES]

48 yrs old, and this made me cry. Thank you for sharing.

[@cynlagos]

Nooo its over?! Absolutely need a whole show about these characters.

[@sheluvclauds]

saw this on instagram and it excelled my expectations, i really loved the rawness of love shared between hayden and casey it was the perfect portration of a summer love

[@jillroeleven1369]

This is amazing! You can feel the tention of the two characters so well! Hope to see more like this.

[@offiliallillianlandacc]

I love how this just feels like a long ikea commertial

[@luizabarreto3059]

That’s one of the sweetest short films that I’ve ever seen! Congratulations for the amazing work

[@Sophie-tm1hp]

so happy I spent my lunch break watching this.... now I'm crying in a coffee shop. Fantastic. This was amazing and felt so genuine. I want this to be a full film of a whole season with these characters.

[@jaanwonu6294]

the making the acting the detailing everything felt so full of emotions as if im seeing it first hand, but damn made me wanna sit in for an hour for this.

[@hayleeparent6512]

elle!! im so proud of you. I miss our twitch streams but so happy you got the opportunity to make this.

[@itsJudysLife]

Loooove!!! Can't wait to see more from you Elle!

[@mysteriousperson898]

Elle mills you did so much with what you had! Bigger studios will certainly recognize your talent. Very excited to watch your first feature length film soon

[@listentome271]

I absolutely love this it’s genuinely amazing. The story telling the acting the cinematography chefs kiss

[@FloridaKat-sw3wb]

Elle this is so good. I’m in my 30s and have watched you for years and totally understood you taking a step back. So glad to see you still creating and taking your time to create this. This was so good. One of the best things I’ve watched in a while. So proud of you and looking forward to your future projects.

[@superflyky91]

This was beautifully done Elle! I hope there is a feature film soon!! Congrats on how amazing this is!

[@naduh-j1u]

WHAT THIS ISN'T ENOUGH. I NEED A WHOLE MOVIE ABOUT THIS!!

[@kikyam]

im so proud of you elle!! i really felt your essence in this film :) been watching since forever and im so happy to be watching your works again 💗

[@Kulotzxi]

Nooooo pls we need a full movie now😭 This is such a great movie pls pls pls. Thank youuuu Tiktok I watched this beautiful short film 💯. I wish you all the bestttt and I hope more people can watch this masterpiece ♥️

[@MoonDancerArt]

The pause before the click at the end officially broke me. I wasn't going to cry, but...danggit!!

[@witchywashy6722]

This was so beautiful!! Well done! I'm not crying I just got dust in my eyes 😢

[@shxlbyk]

Watched this when it came out a couple years ago and I’m so glad to see it find a home on KZbin!!

[@HexboxLive]

Love it, very sweet. I'm so glad you were able to share this on your channel

[@shamypiper]

Ppl talking about finding trailers of this on other platforms and here I’m coming across it by chance on YT 😌 Elle the storytelling is so beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤ I’ll definitely watch a full length film of these two characters 😍😍😍😍😍

[@rue3456]

i came from youtube shorts and i just want to say not only did this make me CRY SO MUCH, but it also inspired me to keep pursuing filmmaking :,)

[@Tao0425]

Hi I'm Japanese learning English. I came from Instagram and I watched this whole movie, barely :) I got the rough meaning crying, but I didn't understand it perfectly. So.. I think I'm gonna keep watching this at many point in my life. I might feel different depending on the time. I'm sure this short film is gonna be so special for me. Thank you💕✨

[@laurentuck8133]

the future of the film industry is in amazing hands. congrats on an incredible first film!!

[@casual_lurker]

i just wanted to say that the outfits are iconic

[@2lmil]

THIS IS THE BEST SHORT MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN please please please Elle tell me you’re making more work because this was fantastic and the gay angst was perfect 😭

[@capr1suun]

this is so cutie!! I remember u announcing this project years ago! love the visuals , ugh i needed this today

[@ruffboiALT]

I was a baby dyke just realizing I liked girls at 18 just a couple of years before this is set, in 2004/2005. I had a boyfriend who I thought I was going to spend forever with, and then I made friends with a girl who already knew who she was. I... cannot express to you what I"m feeling having watched this because I don't even really know, but I need you to know I'm nearly 40 years old and I am sitting in my office with tears streaming down my face because I feel so unbelievably SEEN. This was recommended to me at random, I did not go searching for it, I actually thought it was a trailer and not a whole short film. I. Thank you. For this. Really. I had a slightly different trajectory than our lovely protagonist - I broke up with my boyfriend and that girl who knew who she was has been my best friend and partner for 19 years. But it could've gone the other way. and either way, the middle part, the part where you're falling in love but you don't really know what to think of it and you have other plans, but she's *there* and she's so vibrant and vivid... that's the same. So yeah. Thank you. I don't know if you'll even see this comment, it's been months and there's almost a thousand already, but I needed to say it all. Thank you.

[@farben_karusell6603]

We NEED a PART TWO!!! Please, Elle! Did they have a happy end? Lots of Love from Cologne (Germany)

[@lovelyrisingstar0444]

OHMYGOSHHH THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL But ughhhh I need a second part 😭😭😭😭 Amazing short film, it makes us think a lot about true love

[@ramvarmawiinf8623]

This is so good. I NEED A LONGER VERSION!!! I want them to meet againnnnn pleaseeeeee

[@apllenia]

❣️I love this Elle. Just turned 21 and it’s crazy that I’ve been watching you since high school. Congratulations on this and wishing you many more successes in the future!!!

[@Art-BZoey]

BROO IM SOBBING THIS IS SO BEUTIFUL AND AND I CAN DESCRIBE IT WITH WORD (the part in the short mencion my country i literally scream of joy)

[@Art-BZoey]

My heart hurts a lot im so sorry this situacion is a mess and remenber me a lot of thing ..

[@maxinetms]

This was so heart warming to watch it really showed how love can just jump out of nowhere and how messy it can be. I love this so much!!! It was filmed really well😊😊😊

[@mariahisabelle]

I was so excited to see this become available on KZbin, especially after seeing the trailer years ago. God, I can relate to and feel Casey’s curiosity, crush, and confusion all at once. So so so good and needed Elle! Thank you for this gem :) So excited to see a full length movie of yours soon!

[@americangirl7780]

This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen on this app

[@laurenpeters4890]

omg this came up on my recommended and i didn’t even realize you made this until i saw your name in the credits! it was life changing tbh i would love to see a full-length film of this

[@katnissgayverdeen]

Bro you LITERALLY popped into my mind last night and I was wondering about you and then this gets uploaded

[@i_wholeheartedly_refuse]

"i dont know what to do with my life if i havent lived it yet" YES

[@egghead0304]

i am happy i found this masterpiece. the algorithms of tiktok brought me here. would def wanna watch a whole movie of series of this. awesomesauce! ❤

[@lilia7627]

i just clicked on this randomly and its safe to say that i loved every moment. i would 100% watch a whole film of this!!!

[@meganwilson5522]

I need this as a full film

[@znedders_]

The cast did so wonderfully here. I'm inspired. LOLL thank you Elle! You never fail to deliver 💟

[@ali_ferz]

omg this is so good, i literally LOVE everything about it

[@random_kid453]

I NEED A SECOND PART PLEEEEEEEASE IM TOO INVESTED IN THIS TO END ON A CLIFFHANGER ITS SO GOODDDDDD

[@ni-kisheep4196]

i came from instagram because i was so invested to the reel you posted about this story and dang this is so gooooodd!

[@quietcandle4777]

just saw your TikTok and rushed into ytb to see it and I LOVED ITTTTTT !! hope to see more of your art

[@rem7015]

this is genuinely one of the best short movies ive ever seen

[@seraynity20]

you cant just end it there, come onnnnnn, give me atleast a little sneak peak at the future

[@caryllapostol]

the subtle sweet moments that we don’t talk about when we start liking a girl 🥹 loved this

[@paganofthegoodtimes]

i love this so much! the acting, the directing, the writing-it was all so powerful. i hope you continue to make more films!

[@Isa_rai]

We'll be waiting for the FULL MOVIE 🤝🏻

[@17luckiestmonkey17]

Worlds colliding with Karen and Khoa as executive producers! Love this so much. Can’t wait for more projects!! ❤

[@itsjenna1560]

THIS MOVIE IS ACTUALLY SO GOOD

[@Makena.2.U]

I've been waiting for this movie since forever tf... Someone release this😭😭

[@veebeeismeme]

this has to be the best short film i’ve ever watched.

[@iznabarahi6885]

It got my heart need a part 2 plzzz

[@rachezzel]

I had the honour of watching this when it premiered at bufferfest by happenstance, and let me tell you, it meant so much to me as a closeted kid. Absolutely gorgeous writing, and the casting felt so genuine and accurate. Thank you.

[@brienamarie]

Omg I can't believe I got on YT at the right time! 1min ago?! Love you Elle!!!!

[@tanishkasharma9541]

ANOTHER PART ANOTHER PART ANOTHER PART please please please 😭 It's just so fucking beautifully written, directed, recorded, performed, the cinematography is literally summerly mind-blowing. I loved it. Please continue making more films 🌹

[@vincent_2232]

Omg this was so cute I loved it!!!! Congrats on all your hard work!

[@yunah9818]

I remember making a very small contribution to the making of this film about three years ago. I first watched it during its festival run in 2022. Now watching it again, it’s still a heartwarming and lovely film. I’ll definitely come back and watch it again and again❤