FAYETTEVILLE, NC: Former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler Greg Ellis is bringing his latest project to the big screen in Fayetteville next month. The retired All-Pro defensive end, now a filmmaker, will host the premiere of My Dear at the Cameo Art House Theatre on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 3pm to 6pm EST, as part of the National Symposium Mental Wellness Tour.
The Wendell, North Carolina, native previously hosted his movie premiere tour in areas like Texas, Las Vegas, Orlando, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro, which were all successful.
“I say this wholeheartedly and truthfully: I had not had one person to say they didn’t like the film and that it didn’t help them. So come on out, Fayetteville and surrounding areas. According to what everybody else said, you’re going to like it,”
Former NFL Player, Greg Ellis, exclaimed.
Through the vision from God, Ellis aims to present the film in one city in every state of the USA before it reaches streaming platforms such as Netflix and Tubi. The film was presented for the first time in Greensboro, and due to its high quality, it is garnering numerous requests for screenings in various locations throughout North Carolina. Ellis, who wrote and directed the film, uses My Dear to shed light on the devastating impact untreated mental health issues can have on families. The story unfolds through the eyes of a six-year-old daughter, shedding light on the emotional burden children often carry in silence. Football taught him discipline and teamwork, but storytelling gives the 50-year-old the opportunity to connect with people in a deeper way.
“We address mental health, but it’s an entertaining film. I think films are best when they have a message in them,” Ellis shared with the Exclusive Press.
“There’s moment when people are going to laugh, some may cry, some may get mad, some may get happy hugs at the end of the day; all of those things mean that we entertain you,” he added.
Ellis, who’s also a mental health advocate, hope is to encourage families and communities to talk openly about mental health, get the necessary help and to find strength in that honesty. The Fayetteville screening will also feature discussions as part of the nationwide tour, which combines film with open dialogue on mental health awareness.
According to the 2025 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame inductee, entertainment serves as the most effective means of conveying the message. Ellis aims for his film to captivate the audience and raise awareness about mental health issues. To Ellis, mental health is a serious matter that requires attention, especially regarding changes in the behavior patterns of your loved ones. In addition, My Dear, Ellis executive produced the 2015 film, Carter High, featuring Vivica A. Fox and Charles S. Dutton, and co-wrote and directed a significant Juneteenth stage play to raise awareness on the national holiday.
He mentioned that his wife, whom he met in high school, remains in disbelief as he did not seem like the type to write films. Ellis, a communication major from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, expressed that his passion for theater blossomed during his enrollment in theater-related courses within his major.
Ellis, who played 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders before retiring in 2009, has shifted his focus from the gridiron to storytelling. With My Dear, he hopes to use cinema as a tool to spark community conversations around wellness and healing.
General admission tickets for the event start at $30 and are available through Eventbrite . Discounts are also available by using the discount code: GregEllis. Please note that the Eventbrite fee does apply when purchasing tickets.
A trailer for the film is available online at mydearthemovie.com
