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 the opening night!   Links to points of discussion: Hudson Valley Film Festival Hudson Valley Film Festival on Instagram Warwick Drive-In Kristie Kish's website Kristie Kish's Instagram Ryan Castrillo on Instagram The Animator's Animations The Animator's Playlist The Animator's Favorites Michael McGoldrick on Instagram Michael McGoldrick on Twitter Babe Alert on NewGrounds C204 Animation Beach Rat Productions on Instagram Beach Rat Productions Shop John Quinn's website John Quinn's Instagram John Quinn's YouTube The Storm trailer Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, & Technology (PFCAT) Kristie Kish on The Animator's Friend Boys Go to Jupiter trailer Ottawa International Animation Festival Leland Powley on Instagram Zac Max's website Zac Max's Instagram The Callicoon Theater Michael Dondero & Shengnan Dong on The Animator's Friend Nostril's website Michael Dondero's website Michael Dondero's Instagram Shengnan Dong's website Shengnan Dong's Instagram Arnesh Kundu's website Arnesh Kundu's Instagram The Mahoning Drive-In 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 and edited by India Lombardi-Bello Co-host Kristie Kish Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Travel support provided by the Hudson Valley Film Festival Digital marketing assistance by Arnesh Kundu Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Arnesh Kundu, Hannah Maxwell, Kristie Kish, Jess Reisch, Ty Opeña, Darren Santa Maria, Jose Vargas, and Malt Adult.

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 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

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 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

We are live-to-tape at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Festival!  Take a pew with me and my friend Barnaby Catterall (who I met at Annecy 8 years ago!) as we chat with Animation Talent Picnic attendees about how well they tan, what animal would play them in a Better Man type biopic of their life, and what they have or have not yet seen at the festival this year.   Links to points of discussion: Barnaby's website Barnaby's Instagram Annecy International Animation Festival Arco Layer Explorer podcast on Youtube The Animator's Animations Alberto Allegri Rodriguez's website Alberto Allegri Rogdriguez's Instagram Potlems on Short of the Week Mikkel Mainz on Instagram Skjaldborn Studios Tales of Alethrion on Youtube Dragon Striker Kfir Ben-Dov's website Lee-Yam Naaman's website Lee-Yam Naaman's Instagram Mononoke The Movie The Animation Workshop Pedro Martins Twitch Hlin on Instagram Melissa Raymond Lund's website Royal College of Art The Animator's Friend on Instagram   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 Co-host Barnaby Catterall Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Travel support provided by Annecy International Animation Festival and SVA MFA Computer Arts Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Cynthia Chu; Brent Sievers; Ash Suh; Tracy Liu; my mom and dad Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello; Barnaby's mom and dad; Darren Santa Maria.  

In the interest of making new friends while attending Animafest Zagreb this year, I hung out at the festival picnic to record some impromptu conversations. This feels especially meaningful since Animafest is where I got the idea for the podcast this time last year! I was graciously joined by Sawyer Rippon, designer of the TAF logo, to chat with some new buds about Animafest's programming, frogs, and the beauty of the animation community with guests.   Links to points of discussion: Sawyer's website Sawyer's Instagram Animafest Zagreb Bratislava Academy of Performing Arts Estonian Academy of Arts Yiyang Sun's website Yiyang Sun's Instagram @rs92221 on Instagram A Night at the Rest Area by Saki Muramoto trailer Ode to Perfume by Maxim Litvinov trailer Rise & Shine Animateka International Animation Festival Kaboom Animation Festival The Animator's Animations The Animator's Friend on Instagram   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 Co-host Sawyer Rippon Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Travel support provided by Animafest Zagreb and SVA MFA Computer Arts Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Ash Suh for talking about recording at animation festivals with me; either Britt Raes or Tracy Liu for talking about recording specifically at the festival picnics with me; my mom and dad Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello; Darren Santa Maria.  

Listen to my chat with my two favorite Annecy Achievers Michael Dondero and Shengnan Dong, whose film Nostril has been programming into Annecy International Animation Festivals 2025's WTF Block!  If you are going to Annecy, book your ticket for one of the WTF blocks ASAP or rush day of!   Links to points of discussion: Nostril's website Michael Dondero's website Michael Dondero's Instagram Shengnan Dong's website Shengnan Dong's Instagram Annecy International Animation Festival The Animator's Animations The Animator's Playlist Walla Walla Movie Crush Lost Signal Society (Michael's podcast) Woodstock Film Festival Blender The Animator's Friend on Instagram   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 by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to my mom and dad Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello; Malt Adult and Sarah Schmidt; Darren Santa Maria

Two episodes in one month!? Don't get used to it!... for now. Brent Sievers was in NYC a few weeks ago to receive a Webby for his show The Land of Boggs, becoming the podcast's first Angelino; allaying any blind East Coast/West Coast allegiances with his holistic perspective on the bites the vibes, and the views. Links to points of discussion: Land of Boggs on Instagram Brent's Instagram The Divide Caleb Wood's website The Animator's Favorites Los Tacos No. 1 Vidiots The Animator's Animations The Animator's Playlist The Animator's Friend on Instagram 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 by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Lisa Lombardi-Bello, Mick Bello, and Darren Santa Maria

The Animator's Friend reaches Unc Status by having Jasper Lin on the show. In our chat, Jasper does everything in his power to get us both canceled by crowning me the Joe Rogan of Animation, starting animation beef with Oscar winners, and attempting to settle multiple disputes with me on mic.  Jasper is an animator, computer artist, and educator. His work ranges from narrative short films to experimental video and sound pieces, but his interdisciplinary background and DIY work ethic have led him to fill a wide variety of roles in production, design, and academia.  Jasper received an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts in 2011 and is an Assistant Professor of Digital Art and Design at Queensborough Community College.  His most recent film The Misprint is now available to stream on Youtube. Links to points of discussion: Jasper's webiste The Misprint Aid distribution in Gaza via Stephanie H. Shih Trans Relocation Support Western Mass Immigration Bond Freedom Fund Jasper's Youtube Jasper's Instagram Nicole Otaola on The Animator's Friend Westside Tavern @there_i_ruined_it on Instagram WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko trailer IFC Center SVA Faculty United: SVA FAC - UAW Zohran for New York City Kurt Vonnegut quote on Humanism The Animator's Playlist The Animator's Friend on Instagram Credits: Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, Darren Santa Maria, Jack Meisterich, Andres Salazar, Jose Vargas, Michael Dondero, Adam Meyers, and Rebecca Huang

Sit poolside with me and Nicole Otaola as we discuss pauses, pivots, persistence, politics, and Jurassic Park.  Nicole is an artist and filmmaker currently based in Miami, FL.  She is a recent graduate of the BFA Animation Program at the School of Visual Arts.  She is an animation generalist, previously at Augenblick Studios - clients including PBS, Netflix, Irony Point, G-Fuel, Toei Animation, and Expensify.  More recently, she worked on City Island PBS Kids as a Production Coordinator.  In addition to animating, illustrating, storyboarding, and compositing, she also likes to make tunes. Links to points of discussion: Nicole's Instagram City Island Miami-Dade Public Library System Josh Pilch on the Animator's Friend The Animator's Favorites The Animator's Animations My Neighbor Totoro Fox Dub The Animator's Playlist The Animator's Friend on Instagram 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 Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Sam Lee for introducing me to Nicole, Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, Ro and Scott Hornak, and Kylie Mitchell

I think the theme of my chat with Anne is BALANCE: the balance between creative desires; improvisation and planning; nature and opportunity; perfection and imperfection; Alice in Wonderland and Scar; the artist and the critic. The deep sea angler fish serves as a sublime enactment of this search for harmony. Anne Beal is an award-winning animation filmmaker and multimedia artist whose work merges experimental animation, painting, and sound. Informed by her musical training, she embraces the intuitive elements of cinematic language. Links to points of discussion: Anne's Patreon The Animator's Friend on Instagram The Animator's Playlist Oliver Burkeman's 70% Rule Girls Night Out by Joanna Quinn Rocks In My Pockets by Signe Baumane (trailer) Consuming Spirits by Chris Sullivan (trailer) 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 Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Interstitial music from guitarmaster on freesound.org Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Vinay Nandargi, Lisa Labracio, Michael Dondero, Kristie Kish, Darren Santa Maria, Rebecca Huang, my mom and dad Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, Nikolas Fortune Hagen, and Ro and Scott Hornak

This month, I made a new friend! John Morena joined me to talk all the most taboo topics: religion, and the tristate pizza wars. Morena is a Bronx-born animator and art director, currently living in Brooklyn.  His films have been selected by such prestigious festivals Annecy, Ottawa, Hiroshima, Anima Mundi, Animafest Zagreb, and the International Children's Festival. He is currently working on an anthology piece Films for No One which you can keep stay up-to-date with on Instagram. Links to points of discussion: Di Fara Pizza Creepshow 2 Animation Speak/Easy Alphabet by David Lynch I'm Okay by Elizabeth Hobbs Martina Scarpelli Area 52 by John Morena 25 Ways to Quit Smoking by Bill Plympton Your Face by Bill Plympton Beauty in the Grime: An Interview with Independent Animator John Morena by ASIFA-East 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 Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Lisa LaBracio for recommending John Morena, Jose Vargas, Michael Dondero, and Nikolas Fortune Hagen

This month, The Animator's Friend is joined by the self-proclaimed Animator's Friend's Friend Josh Pilch. Josh is an animator at Augenblick Studios and has worked on such projects as City Island and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. He has his own improv podcast Big Town Improv which can be found on all major podcast platforms. This lively conversation leaves listeners wondering... is Josh brat? Is Josh a bully? Was Josh really raised amish? You be the judge! Links to points of discussion: City Island (show) Bagel Villa (Brooklyn bakery) The Animator's Playlist Tigre (Manhattan bar) Bruce Blitz 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 Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Darren Santa Maria, Lisa LaBracio, my parents Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, and Josh for helping me move my couch.

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 podcast, 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. In this episode, India sits down with director and educator Lisa LaBracio to discuss their shared Italian heritage, social norms, failure, chocolate, and Animation Speak/Easy.  Among other things! Links to points of discussion: Anne Beal John Morena Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days by Regina Pessoa Tragic story with a Happy ending by Regina Pessoa Feet of Song by Erica Russell Neighbors by Norm McLaren Song Exploder The Animator's Friend's playlist heh Credits: Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to Ethan Kaplan, Michael Dondero, Adam Meyers, Lisa Lombardi-Bello, and Mick Bello

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Animator's Friend," hosted by India Lombardi Bello, an animation educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In this new podcast, 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. In this episode, India sits down with Kristie Kish, an Emmy-nominated director, producer, animato, motion designer, and entrepreneur known for her work with Nat Geo Wild, Sci-Fi, and Nickelodeon. Join India and Kristie for a candid and entertaining discussion that goes beyond the technicalities of animation, offering a glimpse into the personalities and passions that drive this vibrant industry. Whether you're an aspiring animator or simply curious about the world of animation, this episode promises to inspire and engage. Links to points of discussion: Kristie's film The Lonely Island Mother's Milk Walla Walla Movie Crush Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology Animation Speak/Easy @24memespersecond Throat Notes Peter Millard Eric Big Mouth SVA MFA Computer Arts Credits: Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks to my parents, Mick Bello and Lisa Lombardi-Bello, Sam Gray, Darren Santa Maria, Bethia Feldman, Koner and Kaitlin Olcott, Lotte Marie Allen, Michael Dondero, Lila Milgrom, and Misha Savage