Olney native, Villanova grad premieres short film

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- An Olney native who recently graduated from Villanova is bringing his tragedy to triumph story to the big screen.

Tony Chennault made his family and hometown proud by receiving a scholarship to play basketball at Wake Forest.

"My dreams were to make it in the NBA, making good money," he said.

However during his second season, his mom's health began to fade.

"Her dealing with her illness, I wasn't able to be there for her, it wasn't sitting well with me," he said.

So Chennault left Wake Forest in 2012 and transferred to Villanova to be closer to his mom.

Then everything seemed to start crashing around him.

His older brother Michael was gunned down in a drive by in Olney in May 2012. It appears he was an innocent victim.

Then three months later his mother Crystal Morton died of a heart attack.

Now Chennault is putting part of his story on the screen in 'Chris' a nine minute short film.

It's dedicated in memory of his brother, and speaks out against violence.

"Where I'm from, a lot of people had somebody like my brother who passed away to senseless violence," he said.

Chennault graduated from Villanova just a week ago and has shifted his focus from basketball to film making.

He formed 267 Productions with fellow Villanova students and grads. The 23-year-old hopes people will hear his story of tragedy and triumph and be uplifted.

"I wanted to do something to inspire people, I figured I could inspire people through storytelling," said Chennault.

Chennault has seen early success with his short film, he won best director at the Hezekiah Film Festival at Villanova. He says he hopes to have his second film out in August.