The Animator’s Friend

28: Good Egg with John Michael Boling & Jason Coombs

While Bouchra [https://bouchra.film/]'s on its world tour, I got to meet creative producers John Michael Boling and Jason Coombs who enlightened me as to why Funko Pops are a scourge on our society.  See Bouchra at Metrograph [https://metrograph.com/] through to July 2nd or catch it in a city near you soon!   Wrestling with writer’s block for her first film, Bouchra, a queer Moroccan jackal living in NYC, starts having difficult yet overdue phone calls with her mother in Casablanca that begin influencing the project. Balancing the precarity of working as an artist in the United States, the rift in her identity between her two homes and an array of friendships and romantic interests, Bouchra’s emotional reckoning with her mother and herself becomes her path to expression.    Links to points of discussion (will update shortly!): * Bouchra screening at Metrograph - NYC [https://metrograph.com/film/?vista_film_id=9999004897] * Bouchra [https://bouchra.film/]'s website * John Michael Boling's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jmbjmbjmbjmbjmbjmb/] * Jason Coombs' Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/half.boy/] * 2 Lizards Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/2lizardsproduction/] * The Animator's Animations [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwRk7qu4g4&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rarABqMSj7p-L_J9LCL4o-Y&index=18] * The Animator's Favorites [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR7ZM_iAW8&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rb0RbrbY1aUAYpe7Isl5h97&index=21] * Telfar [https://telfar.net/] * Fondazione Prada - Italy [https://www.fondazioneprada.org/?lang=en] * The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-animators-playlist-2026/pl.u-6mo4lNLiZaJlVo] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0d3c1KFC5UJwD3PzOd1VIm?si=9c5e81d1d86144df] * Cynthia Chu on The Animator's Friend [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYYkrpS5QtI&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rYyUPc7vYPS5goiu0qm0wdT&index=23] * Twin Peaks LogPosting on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1528224180819917/] * The Animator's Friend on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/luckydogface/] The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this 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-Bello * Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu * Music by Cloutmeyer * Design by Sawyer Rippon * All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity

27: Beauty Marks with Pilar Garcia-Fernandezsesma

Pilar and I contemplate Minnie Mouse's wikiFeet rating.   Pilar Garcia-Fernandezsesma [https://pilargarciafernandezsesma.myportfolio.com/] is a Spanish-American animator, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary artist from New York City. They received a BFA in Film/Animation/Video from the Rhode Island School of Design and are currently based in Brooklyn.   Her practice encompasses both digital and traditional techniques, typically using an interplay of the two to give a mixed-media feel to her work. Pilar's storytelling often draws inspiration from ecological systems and their symbolic qualities, and uses folk horror, magical realism, and nature to examine the emotional and psychological self through a poetic and metaphorical lens.    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO [https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO] Links to points of discussion (will update shortly!): * Pilar's website [https://pilargarciafernandezsesma.myportfolio.com/] * Pilar's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pilargfs/] * Rhode Island School of Design - RI [https://www.risd.edu/] * The Animator's Friend on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/luckydogface/] * Frog Farm - NYC [https://frogfarm.online/] * Bouchra screening - NYC [https://metrograph.com/film/?vista_film_id=9999004897] * Adolescence of Utena screening - NYC [https://metrograph.com/film/?vista_film_id=9999004893] * The Animator's Animations [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwRk7qu4g4&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rarABqMSj7p-L_J9LCL4o-Y&index=18] * The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-animators-playlist-2026/pl.u-6mo4lNLiZaJlVo] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0d3c1KFC5UJwD3PzOd1VIm?si=9c5e81d1d86144df] * The Animator's Favorites [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR7ZM_iAW8&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rb0RbrbY1aUAYpe7Isl5h97&index=21] * Amy Kravitz's website [https://www.amykravitzstudio.com/] * LaGuardia Arts - NYC [https://www.laguardiahs.org/] * Peter Millard's website [https://www.hellopetermillard.com/] * Donald Daffy by Peter Millard [https://www.hellopetermillard.com/donald-daffy] * School of Visual Arts (SVA) MFA Visual Narrative - low residency NYC [https://sva.edu/academics/graduate/mfa-visual-narrative] * Chris Sullivan on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/chrissullivananimation/?hl=en] * Consuming Spirits by Chris Sullivan [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/consumingspirits/16781367] * Paper Trail by Don Hertzfeldt [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/papertrail2026] * Steven Subotnick's website [https://www.stevensubotnick.com/] * Pilar on NewGrounds [https://pilargfs.newgrounds.com/] The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this 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-Bello * Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu * Music by Cloutmeyer * Design by Sawyer Rippon * Special thanks to Lisa LaBracio, Jose Vargas, Angelica Vergel, Pilar and John Moraskie * All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity

26: Bring Back Pangea with Marcelese Cooper

In true TAF fashion, me and Marcelese Cooper [https://www.marcelesecooper.art/] talk about bugs.   Marcelese Cooper is an artist and educator originally from Santa Clarita, California, and has practiced throughout the Midwest and the South for nearly a decade. Influenced by their experiences as a young, black, queer individual, Cooper explores themes of identity, community, and the black/brown narrative through mediums like animation, performance art, and experimental video. They blend the DNA of dreams, science-fiction, and surreal art-house cinema in their work. Currently a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Cooper merges storytelling with time-based media to nurture the next generation of storytellers. Their recent artistic endeavors extend into 2D animation, video art, and sound experimentation, with a focus on community-centered projects that emphasize group storytelling and self-mythos. Learn more and contribute to Story Drive [https://storydriveproject.com/] here - an ongoing video series focused on community storytelling. We interpret anonymous voicemails — dreams, memories, secrets, and more — into video art. Whether you're sharing a laugh, a personal truth, or a somber moment, your story will be heard. Donate to Marcelese's upcoming project On Good Days here [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-on-good-days-a-chronic-illness-documentary] - On Good Days is a short experimental documentary about what it means to live with chronic and autoimmune conditions on a daily basis. These conditions are often shown only during emergencies or flare ups, but most of life happens between those moments or potentially in spite of them. It happens in the pacing of energy, in care routines, in the small decisions that shape a day, and in the adaptations that allow people to keep moving through the world on their own terms. This film is focused on that living part, which is often the part that is least understood.     Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO [https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO] Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival [https://www.hudsonvalleyfilmfest.com/] with TAFnHVFFrCOOL   Links to points of discussion: * Marcelese Cooper's website [https://www.marcelesecooper.art/] * Marcelese's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slymcooper/] * Story Drive's website [https://storydriveproject.com/] * No More Than Anyone Else [https://www.bridge-chicago.org/bridge-featured-films/nomorethananyoneelse] * Film Diary NYC [https://filmdiary.info/] * On Good Days on GoFundMe [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-on-good-days-a-chronic-illness-documentary] * The Animator's Friend on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/luckydogface/] * Hellavision on June 2nd - Troy NY [https://www.hellavisiontelevision.com/events/cunt-a-vision-2-screening-troy] * No Fun - Troy NY [https://www.nofuntroy.com/] * Ground Zero Basement - Troy NY [https://www.instagram.com/gzbasement/] * The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-animators-playlist-2026/pl.u-6mo4lNLiZaJlVo] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0d3c1KFC5UJwD3PzOd1VIm?si=9c5e81d1d86144df] * Smith's Hot Dogs [https://www.smithhotdogs.com/] * Nathan's Hot Dogs [https://nathansfamous.com/] * American Museum of Natural History - NYC [https://www.amnh.org/] * The Animator's Favorites [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR7ZM_iAW8&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rb0RbrbY1aUAYpe7Isl5h97&index=21] * The Animator's Animations [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwRk7qu4g4&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rarABqMSj7p-L_J9LCL4o-Y&index=18] The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this 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-Bello * Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu * Music by Cloutmeyer * Design by Sawyer Rippon * Special thanks to Benton Bainbridge for connecting me to Marcelese! * All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity

25: Earthwalking with Andy & Carolyn London

From oatmeal to the occult, the London [https://www.londonsquared.net/]'s give equal attention to their pastimes.  They even begrudgingly give equal attention to their dislikes as well which include Long Island and the discomfort of growing up.  These are featured predominently in their most recent film 1981 [https://www.londonsquared.net/films/1981-trailer], where the mullets are long, the metal is heavy, and 14-year-old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change his life forever.   Andy and Carolyn are writers, directors, animators and co-founders of London Squared Productions. Since 1999, they’ve been creating films, music videos and animated content.      Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival [https://www.hudsonvalleyfilmfest.com/] with TAFnHVFFrCOOL   Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO [https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO] Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend [https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend] Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend [https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend] Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend [https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend]   Links to points of discussion: * Sundance Film Festival [https://festival.sundance.org/] * NBC Page Program [https://www.nbcunicareers.com/pageprogram] * Animation Speak/Easy - NYC [http://animationspeakeasy.com/] * Lisa LaBracio's website [https://www.lisalabra.com/] * Anna Samo Bergmann's website [https://samo-animation.com/index.html]   * The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-animators-playlist-2026/pl.u-6mo4lNLiZaJlVo] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0d3c1KFC5UJwD3PzOd1VIm?si=9c5e81d1d86144df] * Library180 - NYC [https://www.library180.com/] * East Village Shoe Repair - BK [https://www.instagram.com/eastvillageshoerepair_bk/] * Cinanima - Portugal [https://cinanima.pt/en/] * The Animator's Animations [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwRk7qu4g4&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rarABqMSj7p-L_J9LCL4o-Y&index=18] * The Animator's Favorites [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR7ZM_iAW8&list=PLhzvCRO-V4rb0RbrbY1aUAYpe7Isl5h97&index=21] * The Metropolitan Museum of Art - NYC [https://www.metmuseum.org/] * Fantagraphics [https://www.fantagraphics.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo1rm6-obWkmwkBLYbvnHLpz77lzsIt2JBy-IrXzGhOQkpwvY6A] * Woodstock Film Festival [https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/] - NYS * Sonoma International Film Festival - CA [https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/] * Stuttgart International Festival of Animation Film - Germany [https://itfs.de/en/home/] * Joy + Noelle's website [https://www.joyandnoelle.com/] * The Animator's Friend on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/luckydogface/] The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this 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-Bello * Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu * Music by Cloutmeyer * Design by Sawyer Rippon * Special thanks: my mom and dad * All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity * We are not doctors or mental health professionals, so consult a doctor before enacting on any of our opinions

TAF at the Marvels of Media Festival 2026!

Last night, I transcended my human form and turned into a rd carpet correspondent for the Museum of Moving Image's Marvels of Media Festival! We spoke with festival participants and organizers Dani Bowman, Jackson Tucker-Meyer, Josh Sapan, Susanna Hunt, Steven Fraser, Steph Prizhitomsky, Bob Clark, Miranda Lee, and Maxwell Scheller. The festival runs all weekend long, see details here: https://movingimage.org/series/marvels-of-media-festival-2026/ [https://movingimage.org/series/marvels-of-media-festival-2026/] Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this 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. https://linktr.ee/theanimatorsfriend Credits: Recorded and produced by India Lombardi-Bello & Arnesh Kundu Edited by India Lombardi-Bello Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks: Renata Luczak, Justin Solar, and Arnesh All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity