Born in August of 2001 as a PK (pastor's kid), Eliya moved with her family as missionaries to Ireland becoming a MK (missionary kid), at the age of two. Moving back to the States in 2007, she now lives at her family's hobby farm in the Midwest, enjoying the 'country life' to the fullest. It was through her brother, Andrew Hurt, and his work on Beyond the Mask (2015), that she learned of Joe and Jerica Henline (of award winning short film: Lady Jane Grey), and Henline Productions.In the Spring of 2013, she heard of Henline Productions casting call for their upcoming feature film, Polycarp (2015). Having no formal training or professional experience, Eliya was initially reticent to audition for the lead role of Anna; but after leaving it to consideration and prayer, she finally auditioned. Within weeks of her audition, at age 11, Eliya found herself cast in her first full feature film as Anna in Polycarp, acting alongside Garry Nation (Indescribable (2010)), and Rusty Martin (Courageous, Jackson's Run).Following Polycarp's principle shoot, she was offered the lead role in the short film, Wanted (2015), again playing opposite Rusty Martin, as well as Andrew Cheney (Beyond the Mask, Season's of Grey), and Stacey Bradshaw (Touched by Grace, Uncommon). In Spring of 2015, Eliya was nominated for Best Actress of a full feature as well as Best Actress for a short film at the ICFF film festival in FL.Eliya's experience and career story has also been a family story. Living with her six media eccentric siblings plunged her into drama and the arts at a very young age, being involved in numerous homemade plays, radio and drama for as long as she can remember. Eliya's other interests besides acting range from playing the flute, exploring the woods that surround her home, spending time with her family, baking in the kitchen, and many more. She is never happier than when surrounded by the people she loves.The joy that Eliya finds in acting comes from being part of projects that impact people's lives in deep and eternal ways. Being a born again follower of Jesus Christ, Eliya's number one desire is to follow and honor her Lord and Savior in whatever He has in store for her. Understanding that the end goal of all arts is to glorify of the One who made them, she seeks to use her gifts to reach out and touch people's souls through the universal language of film and the preforming arts. She is continuing her education at home while participating in various film projects in between. Show less «