A filmmaker with Peoria roots gets national recognition for directing, producing, and writing [Video]

PEORIA (25News Now) – Tonya Nash, who goes by Tonya Love, is a Peoria native now living in South Carolina.

She’s been storytelling since she was eight years old. She owns the theatre company Ignite Entertainment and co-owns the film company Flaming Elephant with Demetrius Jones.

She recently received nominations in four categories for the ACHI Magazine Awards, a women’s lifestyle media brand.

“I was shocked, and then I said, ‘thank you, Jesus!’ Then I was happy, and then I was shocked again,” said Love. “I went through a whole lot of different emotions. It’s a real special feeling.”

Love added that she enjoys making inspirational, positive films about relationships, and some of her projects include the movie “Heel’d”, and “New Pair of Shoes”.

She creates these stage plays and short films with her husband and five of her children.

“She’s creative, innovative, and direct when it comes to it,” said her …