Hill Boy

When a pessimistic recluse meets a carefree spirit at group therapy, he realizes that healing can look ridiculous after he learns of an unconventional (and slightly chaotic) way of letting his emotions loose.

  • Eilythia Penati
    Director
  • Eilythia Penati
    Writer
  • Henry Tsai
    Key Cast
    "Axl"
  • Alec Mendez
    Key Cast
    "Knol"
  • Tracey Gibbs
    Producer
  • Alysha Wang
    Co - Producer
  • Henry Haber
    Executive Producer
  • Cole Slater
    Assistant Director
  • Zayd Ezzeldine
    Cinematographer
  • Ben Turnquest
    Editor
  • Eilythia Penati
    Co - Editor
  • Jared Payzant
    Production Sound
  • Ethan Lee
    Production Sound
  • Alice Wibisono
    Post Production Sound
  • Ian Jackson
    Colorist
  • Jeremy Earnest
    Composer
  • Cat Johnson
    Sound Mixer
  • Ryan Robinson
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Samuel Lynch
    Gaffer
  • Ian Jackson
    Key Grip
  • Nicholas Vizzi
    Title Design
  • Ava Kalenze
    Production Assistant
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 25, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • NFFTY
    Seattle, Washington
    United States
    March 27, 2026
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Maryland Film Festival
    Baltimore, Maryland
    United States
    April 8, 2026
    East Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Beverly Hills Film Festival
    Beverly Hills, California
    United States
    April 16, 2026
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Washington D.C. International Film Festival
    Washington, D.C.
    United States
    April 21, 2026
    Washington, D.C. Premiere
    Honorable Mention - Shorts
Director Biography - Eilythia Penati

Eilythia Penati is an Asian American filmmaker and transmedia storyteller based in Los Angeles, with roots in Washington, D.C. She earned a B.F.A in Film & Television Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a minor in Digital Studies.

Her work examines the absurdity of gender norms, intimacies of family dynamics, and the perils and pros of womanhood through a playful lens – she aims to make the serious a bit more fun. Always eager to bend the medium of film, her practice extends beyond the screen to projection mapping, live events, and installation.

Eilythia is a recipient of USC’s 2024 Arts in Action Grant and was a 2024 Dome Fest West Pitch Finalist for the immersive film After You.

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Director Statement

Hill Boy began with a big happy "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!". A memory of my brother and me rolling down a hill as kids, screaming uncontrollably.


Hill Boy touches on themes of emotional vulnerability and mental health in relation to masculinity through the simple, and somewhat chaotic, act of rolling down a hill. It brings a gentle approach to subjects often treated with heaviness.

Hill Boy is the first step to bigger conversations around mental health, emotional connection, and toxic masculinity.

Over time, I've watched my brother bottle up his emotions. It's been a slow and steady process to try and get them back out of him. Sometimes I wish we could be kids again, rolling down hills and screaming.

For me, this story is a message for my brother, and anyone who needs to open up, let go, and roll again.