My Story
Sophia L. Ellis is an award-winning filmmaker and U.S. Army veteran who’s rewriting the Black narrative. A proud Queens native with a Master’s in Project Management and a degree in Digital Cinematography, Sophia blends discipline and artistry to deliver bold, authentic stories.
She’s the creative force behind MBTL Studios, and the visionary behind projects like #WhoKilledJabori The Movie, film adaptation of her own novel My King Looks Like Me, and now streaming, SuperMoon, a horror inspired by Black History.
Sophia has worked on productions for HGTV, HBO Max, and more. With over 20 original concepts in development, her mission is clear:
To build an empire where Black women tell stories — our way.
“I’m not just making films. I’m building the table we’ve been waiting to be invited to.”
— Sophia L. Ellis
An Original Action Film
Story and Written by Sophia Ellis
Logline:
An FBI agent and his rogue hacker sister are dragged back into each other’s lives when a series of killings uncovers a buried family secret—and the truth behind their parents’ murder.
Details:
-
🎬 Directed by: Sophia L Ellis
-
🎵 Music by: ONLY1Theory
-
🎞️ Shot on location in Atlanta, GA
-
💥 Black-led. Black-produced. Black-authored action storytelling.
Synopsis:
An FBI agent and his estranged techie sister — once inseparable, now worlds apart — are forced to reunite when a string of targeted murders ties back to the black-ops project that killed their parents. With a rogue cop, a loyal hacker, and time running out, they dive into Atlanta’s financial underworld to dismantle a secret powerful enough to erase bloodlines. Code of Kin is a relentless action thriller about legacy, loyalty, and what happens when the system underestimates the children it damages.
Status: In development — seeking collaborators & partners.
FEATURED PROJECT
CODE OF KIN
Slate for 2026
From visionary filmmaker Sophia L. Ellis at MBTL Studios, comes a fearless slate of genre-spanning stories that center culture, challenge convention, and elevate untold narratives. Whether it's psychological thrillers, wild comedies, or gripping dramas, these films are crafted to shift the lens through which Black stories are seen.
Currently in various stages of development and production, we’re seeking creative collaborators, co-writers, and aligned investors to join us in bringing these bold visions to the screen.
Two former elite college basketball teammates—once inseparable, now high-key enemies—are forced to confront a 30-year rivalry after their names resurface in a heated public debate about the greatest women’s college players of all time. To settle the score, they agree to one final 1-on-1 exhibition game.
When a queer couple finally gets to build their family through surrogacy, they throw a baby shower weekend like no other. But when both sides of the family show up, things quickly spiral into a chaotic, laugh-out-loud celebration no one will forget.
When a couple becomes trapped in an endless cycle of false awakenings, each layer pulling them deeper into distorted realities, they must confront whether they are living in the world — or only inside their subconscious.
Project Status:
Final Possession is currently in development, with the treatment, copyright and pitch deck locked. We are actively seeking co-writers to help shape the screenplay and investors ready to support a bold, character-driven sports drama that centers Black women, legacy, and long-simmering competition.
Be part of telling a story that hasn’t been told before.
Project Status:
The script for Koko’s Epic Baby Shower Weekend is fully completed, with casting locked and the project prepped for pre-production. We're currently refining production logistics and exploring final funding opportunities. We’re open to potential collaborators and investors with a flair for comedy films.
Project Status:
Currently heading into production, Within the Wake is a vertical-format psychological thriller that explores identity, consciousness, and love through the lens of lucid dreaming.
© 2026 MBTL Studios. All concepts, scripts, and materials are the intellectual property of Sophia L. Ellis and MBTL Studios. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.