Episodios

  • 15: Under the Pergola with Amanda Bonaiuto

    15: Under the Pergola with Amanda Bonaiuto
    Oct 15 2025
    You can find Amanda, me, and her dog Bacca under the pergola, discussing our shared provenance which includes italianess, shyness, and punkness. Her film Confetti is available online for the first time through Director's Notes and her and fellow animator James Thacher have just started their own studio called Magician with a screening coming up at Ridgewood Community Cinema on 11/2/25 at 7pm. Amanda Bonaiuto is an animation director, artist, and assistant professor of Illustration at Parsons School of Design. Her films have screened at film festivals and institutions globally, including Slamdance Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival, Ann Arbor Film Festival, among others. Her work has been recognized by press outlets such as It’s Nice That, The New Yorker, Vimeo, and NPR. She holds an MFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts, and a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She offers workshops, mentorship, and animation publications through a collaborative project called Magician Studio. Amanda uses animation to experiment with choreographic movement, relational ruptures, and the ever present tension between bodies and space. Her work examines experiences of turmoil in mundane spaces; the bedroom, the funeral home, the emotional dance created through chains of physical association. She is fascinated by the porousness of lived experience. Her films consider how our environments exert influence as we reciprocally construct our own world. She hosts Animator Picnics in NYC several times a year (one forthcoming in October). Reach out if you’d like to be added to the email list: a.t.bonaiuto@gmail.com Links to points of discussion: Amanda Bonaiuto's InstagramThe Animator's AnimationsCooking classes at EatalyThe Animator's PlaylistThe Animator's Friend on InstagramArt Shack Bedstuy"Material Worlds: Amanda Bonaiuto" by Case Jernigan with EvergreenHaneen Koraz on InstagramThe Animator's FavoritesHedge by Amanda BonaiutoAnibarFest AncaKaboom Animation FestivalGLAS Animation Festival The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator based in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for lighthearted and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloBooking assistance from Luce Grosjean at Miyu DistributionDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponMicrophones provided by SVA MFA Computer artsSpecial thanks to my mom and dad; Darren Santa Maria; Jose Vargas; Malt Adult; Lisa LaBracio; Andy London; Anna Samo; Kristie Kish.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 31 m
  • 14: Ourselves but Hotter with Lena Greene

    14: Ourselves but Hotter with Lena Greene
    Oct 1 2025
    If you need a bar recommendation, enjoy Lena's encyclopedic knowledge of cool karaoke bars, including the ones that exist only in her mind. Throats Karaoke Bar is the setting of her latest short film Tuna Tartare, which challenges you to be yourself but hotter. Set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, Tuna Tartare is a trashy, karaoke musical about an expired can of tuna fish and her BFF Susan (a fake Louis Vuitton purse) as they struggle to pursue their artistic dreams in a world that has long since dismissed them. Upcoming screenings include Tuna's NYC premiere at The Downtown Festival on 10/11 at 2:30pm and at the Woodstock Film Festival's Saturday Evening Cartoons block on 10/18 at 4:30pm. Lena Greene is a director, animator, illustrator, storyboard artist and character designer based in NYC. Her work is campy, playful, and absurdist, and her characters are often striving to “make it” in a world that has long since overlooked them. She has directed widely screened animations for Lauren Greenfield, Lana Del Rey, Celeste, Gohar World, Comedy Central’s Saturday Morning(ish) Cartoons, and Blumhouse’s Crypt TV. Lena was a storyboard artist on seasons 1 and 2 of Adult Swim & HBO’s Teenage Euthanasia, season 2 of PBS & Augenblick Studio’s City Island, and a character designer on season 3 of Adult Swim & HBO's Smiling Friends. She has made animations for clients such as Vice, Droga5, Edelman, Gucci, Knoll, Tory Burch and collaborated on four large-scale 3D zoetropes with Camille Henrot. Lena was an adjunct animation professor at Queens College, and is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where she received a BFA in film, animation and video. Lena hosts a recurring karaoke talent show on Montez Press Radio, which has been highlighted in Document Journal, The New York Times, Frieze, Dazed, Cultured Mag, and the LA Review of Books. Links to points of discussion: Lena Greene's websiteLena Greene's InstagramThe Downtown Festival - NYCHollyShorts Film Festival - LAFicus Interfaith on InstagramEarth on Instagram - LAPlank Skate MagMontez Press RadioInsa - NYCWoodstock Film FestivalMiyu DistributionAnimest - RomaniaThe Animator's PlaylistPlanet Rose - NYCMontero's - NYCWinnie's - NYCSinger's - NYCGogopa - NYCMary's Crisis Cafe - NYCAsia Roma - NYCThe Animator's FavoritesThe Animator's Friend on InstagramChristopher RutledgeAndrew Onorato on InstagramLucas Ansell's websiteThe Animator's Animations The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator based in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for lighthearted and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloBooking assistance from Luce Grosjean at Miyu DistributionDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponMicrophones provided by SVA MFA Computer artsSpecial thanks to my mom and dad; Cynthia Chu; Michael Dondero, Kristie Kish; Darren Santa Maria; Malt Adult and Sarah Schmidt; Montez Press Radio.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 35 m
  • TAF at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2025!

    TAF at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2025!
    Sep 29 2025
    The Animator's Friend is live-to-tape at the The Animator's Picnic! As part of the 2025 Ottawa International Animation Festival (aka my favorite festival)! After meeting her for the first time at the last OIAF, I asked my fellow media pass girlie Sarah Schmidt of Malt Adult to join me to talk to the good people at The Animator's Picnic! In true TAF-fashion, we talked a little shit, swooned over our favorite festival picks, and absolutely refused to talk about AI. Links to points of discussion: Ottawa International Animation FestivalSarah Schmidt's websiteSarah Schmidt's InstagramMalt Adult's websiteMalt Adult's InstagramAdult Swim SmallsDePaul University - ChicagoMalt Adult #33 - 11/16/25Camp Snap CameraRea Christie's LinkTreeRIT MFA Film and AnimationThe Animator's FavoritesBathroom Girls by Rea ChristieThe Animator's AnimationsColumbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) - OhioSublo and Tangy MustardThe Animator's PlaylistAaron Long's LinkTreeJesse Patiences/MallBat's LinkTree24 memes per secondSurviving Animation podcastSVA MFA Visual Narrative - NYCSVA MFA Computer Arts - NYCEmmett Goodman's websitePilar Newton-Katz on InstagramPilar Newton-Katz's webisteSaintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel - OttawaThe Animator's Friend on InstagramSam Gurry's websiteLids.comTAF with Signe Baumane and Debra SolomonTAF with Nayon ChoJumbo's Clown Room - LASmear Frame PodcastJames ThatcherAnnapurna KumarShapeshifters Cinema - OaklandAnimation BrutLA FilmForumVictoria Vincent aka vewnSpencer Moreland's websiteBarnaby Catterall on TAFCynthia Chu on TAFTabitha Fischer on InstagramJHS PedalsBeyond the Bastards podcastAnimation Show n Tell on InstagramHellavisionSilverlake Shortsanimationshowntell@gmail.com The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloCo-host Sarah SchmidtTravel support provided by Ottawa International Animation Festival and SVADigital Marketing Intern: Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks to Ian Ballentine, Chris Robinson...
    Más Menos
    1 h y 27 m
  • 13: Made in New York with Signe Baumane & Debra Solomon

    13: Made in New York with Signe Baumane & Debra Solomon
    Sep 9 2025

    In anticipation of the Made in New York: Best of NYC Indie Animation showcase and panel at Metrograph this Saturday (9/13/25, 5pm), I had the opportunity to speak with Signe Baumane and Debra Solomon about the screening, making it in NYC, and 417 Hz YouTube videos.

    Just as New York has long been the capital of America’s artistically ambitious “Second Cinema,” a scrappy foil to the Los Angelino industry of streamlined entertainment, it is also home to a counter-tradition of independent animation that has nothing to do with what happens out there in Burbank at the House of the Mouse. Two abundantly talented stalwarts of the NYC animation scene, Bill Plympton and Signe Baumane, have teamed to assemble a program of some of the finest (and most outrageous) work to emerge from artists living and working in the Big Apple, and will be coming to Metrograph to introduce a one-of-a-kind evening of stubbornly individualistic toons, with a number of the participating filmmakers also present. Not the sort of stuff you’re likely to catch on Saturday morning, kids!

    “What makes NYC indie animators so special? Sense of timing. As we scurry from place to place trying to avoid gawking tourists, hungry rats and drag racing vehicles we internalize the sense of adventure and fast pacing, and we bring it to our work. This program showcases just a sliver of the best NYC indie animation: some of the films are Oscar winners, others are made by animation newcomers, but they all share the sense of wonder, adventure and perfect NYC timing to make you laugh, cry and be entertained.” —Signe Baumane

    Post-screening panel discussion with Chris Wedge, Bill Plympton, Chris Conforti, Lisa LaBracio, Anna Samo, Patrick Smith, Peter Ahern, Alex Budovsky, Candy Kugel, Marilyn Kraemer, Signe Baumane, Debra Solomon, and Morgan Miller on Saturday, September 13th.

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Made in New York: Best of NYC Animation showcase and panel on Saturday, September 13th at 5pm
    • Metrograph
    • Signe Baumane's website
    • Karmic Knot
    • Debra Solomon's website
    • Debra Solomon's Facebook
    • Lisa LaBracio on The Animator's Friend
    • Andy London's website
    • Arthur Metcalf's website
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • Kristian Sensini's website
    • Angelika Film Center
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram
    • The Animator's Animations

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator based in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for lighthearted and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Booking assistance from Kaila Hier
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Microphones provided by SVA MFA Computer arts
    • Special thanks to Kaila, Michael Dondero, Kristie Kish, Darren Santa Maria, and my mom and dad.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 32 m
  • 12: Manifesting Bugs with Nayon Cho

    12: Manifesting Bugs with Nayon Cho
    Sep 3 2025

    Nayon and I met on a grueling hike in the French alps after a revelrous week at Annecy International Animation Festival, bonding us in a unique way. I can say for myself, she saw my most bratty, unvarnished self within only hours of meeting, which I can't say for most people! Hear us reminisce.

    Nayon Cho is an animation director and artist born in Seoul, based in New York. She uses a technique which combines drawings, photographs, cel and computer animation. Experimenting with timing and abstraction in 2D narratives, her works explore themes of gender dynamics and social conditioning.

    Upon graduating from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Film/Animation/Video, her short films and commissioned works have screened internationally in film festivals, like Ottawa International Animation Film Festival, Pictoplasma, Kaboom Animation Festival, and more. Recently her commissioned piece, “Peekaboo,” made for Hulu IDs won a Webby Award for Craft-Best Use of Animation.

    She is seeking to collaborate on story-driven projects, she is available for work directing, animating & consulting opportunities.

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Nayon's website
    • Hulu IDs Peekaboo
    • Stigma
    • Skincrawlies on YouTube
    • The Animator's Animations
    • Hudson Valley Film Fest
    • Hudson Valley Film Fest on Instagram
    • Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
    • The Animator's Playlist
    • David De La Fuente's website
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance by Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
    • Microphones provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
    • Special thanks to Simon Wilches Castro for introducing me and Nayon; Hsiang Chin Moe; Michael Dondero; Malt Adult; and Mom and Dad.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 24 m
  • TAF at the Hudson Valley Film Festival 2025!

    TAF at the Hudson Valley Film Festival 2025!
    Aug 15 2025
    We're at the drive-in this week for the Hudson Valley Film Festival's 10th Anniversary! There's no doubt how much this fest loves animation, and they invited me and my friend Kristie Kish to interview selected animators including Ryan Castrillo, Michael McGoldrick, John Quinn, Zac Max, and friends of the pod Arnesh Kundu, Michael Dondero, and Shengnan Dong. We were also honored to be part of Laura Faith's Filmmakers Journey discussion. The Hudson Valley Film Festival is a grassroots arts fest run by local creatives, featuring a curated and diverse selection of independent, short films screened at the Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater, located only 55 miles from NYC. The festival is in its 10th year and aims to showcase and celebrate independent filmmakers and their films. The festival supports and celebrates indie filmmaking, culture, community, and the local arts scene within the Hudson Valley…and beyond. To my animator friends: do not miss the chance to submit your work for year 11! The festival lived up to it's promise of taking us into the beyond with their celestial selections, cosmic connections, and a suspiciously well-timed supernova on opening night! Links to points of discussion: Hudson Valley Film FestivalHudson Valley Film Festival on InstagramWarwick Drive-InKristie Kish's websiteKristie Kish's InstagramRyan Castrillo on InstagramThe Animator's AnimationsThe Animator's PlaylistThe Animator's FavoritesMichael McGoldrick on InstagramMichael McGoldrick on TwitterBabe Alert on NewGroundsC204 AnimationBeach Rat Productions on InstagramBeach Rat Productions ShopJohn Quinn's websiteJohn Quinn's InstagramJohn Quinn's YouTubeThe Storm trailerPortland Festival of Cinema, Animation, & Technology (PFCAT)Kristie Kish on The Animator's FriendBoys Go to Jupiter trailerOttawa International Animation FestivalLeland Powley on InstagramZac Max's websiteZac Max's InstagramThe Callicoon TheaterMichael Dondero & Shengnan Dong on The Animator's FriendNostril's websiteMichael Dondero's websiteMichael Dondero's InstagramShengnan Dong's websiteShengnan Dong's InstagramArnesh Kundu's websiteArnesh Kundu's InstagramThe Mahoning Drive-InThe Animator's Friend on Instagram The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-BelloCo-host Kristie KishProduced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer ArtsTravel support provided by the Hudson Valley Film FestivalDigital marketing assistance by Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks to Arnesh Kundu, Hannah Maxwell, Kristie Kish, Laura Faith, Jess Reisch, Ty Opeña, Darren Santa Maria, Jose Vargas, and Malt Adult.
    Más Menos
    49 m
  • 11: Perpetually Figuring It Out with Tala Rae Schlossberg

    11: Perpetually Figuring It Out with Tala Rae Schlossberg
    Aug 6 2025

    Tala really knows what it means to live life creatively! She blurs the boundaries between her art practice and personal life to lead an existence that feels like a work of art in and of itself. You can experience this rapturous reality by attending one of her many retreats, workshops, and community events! Join her orbit: @talaschlossberg.

    Tala Rae Schlossberg is an American experimental artist known for her distinct animated style, original voice and inventive storytelling. Her animation practice merges rhythm, wordplay, and systems of logic to construct entirely new ways of seeing. Schlossberg’s distinctive visual language—at once ironic, pastoral, and incisively original—reimagines the relationship between image, meaning, and motion.

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Tala's Instagram
    • Tala's website
    • Tala's Substack
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram
    • The Animator's Animations
    • The Animator's Playlist
    • Peephole Cinema on Instagram
    • Hudson Valley Film Fest
    • Hudson Valley Film Fest on Instagram
    • Kristie Kish on The Animator's Friend
    • TAF at Animafest Zagreb
    • TAF at Annecy International Animation Festival
    • School in Sweden I mentioned: Sorangens folkhogskola
    • My email address: india.lombardi.bello@gmail.com

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
    • Digital marketing assistance by Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks to Bergen Hoff for introducing me to Tala; Kristie Kish; Michael Dondero; Jose Vargas; Malt Adult; and my mom and dad Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello
    Más Menos
    1 h y 40 m
  • 10: Cockroach Conversations with Cynthia Chu

    10: Cockroach Conversations with Cynthia Chu
    Jul 8 2025

    Cynthia and I are passionate about being able to communicate with cockroaches one day, but for now, we'll have to settle on talking to eachother. Listen to us in our middle-of-the-night post-lasagna daze, spiraling over roller-coasters, ghosts, and crystals.

    Cynthia Chu is a 2D illustrator and cel animator originally from NYC. Her style goes between painterly and moody to silly and simple. Past Clients include Nickelodeon, SONY, Girl Rising, STARZ, MTV, and Court TV. She is available for freelance Color Design, BG Paint, and 2D Cel Animation.

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Cynthia's Instagram
    • Cynthia's illustration portfolio
    • TAF at Annecy with Barnaby Catterall
    • Josh Pilch on The Animator's Friend
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • Annecy International Animation Festival
    • Ottawa International Animation Festival
    • Anne Beal on The Animator's Friend
    • The Animator's Animations
    • The Animator's Playlist

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for lighthearted and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks to Barnaby Catterall, Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, and AJ Lawrence
    Más Menos
    1 h y 33 m