Telly started making films at a young age, drawn to the ability to tell stories visually, and films capability to convey emotion. He studied cinema at eh University of Toronto for four years, getting his bachelors degree in fine art. Afterward, he attended Vancouver Film School's Film Production program in 2019, graduating having directed a short film, "Time Sheds No Tears."

Since then, Telly has started a production company, Persephone Media, with his sister Aliki, who is a screenwriter and novelist, mainly working on music videos and corporate videos. Telly and Aliki's real passion lies in narrative filmmaking, and "These Hands are not Mine" marks their first short film since Telly returned to Toronto from Vancouver during the pandemic.